For the first time, the 2024 ERI also assessed regional regulatory bodies, recognizing their growing role in harmonizing technical standards and enabling cross-border electricity trade
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 20, 2025/APO Group/ --
Kenya and Senegal have claimed the top spots in the African Development Bank’s 2024 Electricity Regulatory Index (ERI) (www.AfDB.org), demonstrating exceptional progress in power sector governance and regulatory outcomes. The comprehensive assessment, officially unveiled today at the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town, evaluates regulatory frameworks across 43 African countries.
Senegal and Kenya Top African Development Bank’s Electricity Regulatory Index, as Regulators Drive Tangible Reforms
Uganda, Liberia and Niger round out the top five performers, with Niger registering one of the biggest gains, underlining the strong impact of sustained reforms and political commitment to power sector development.
The ERI evaluates three dimensions—Regulatory Governance, Regulatory Substance, and Regulatory Outcomes (ROI). Notably, the ROI, which tracks service delivery and utility performance, recorded the most substantial improvement across the continent.
Key findings from the 2024 ERI:
- Kenya and Senegal led with a score of 0.892, reflecting standout progress in tariff reform, regulatory outcomes, and utility performance.
- A remarkable 41 out of 43 participating countries achieved RGI scores above 0.5, representing a significant increase from 24 countries in 2022.
- Countries scoring below 0.500 reduced significantly from 19 in 2022 to just 6 in 2024.
- Even the lowest-performing country tripled its score—from about 0.10 to 0.33.
- The ROI surged from roughly 0.40 in 2022 to 0.62 in 2024, showing that reforms are delivering tangible service improvements on the ground.
Now in its seventh edition, the ERI shows strong momentum toward more effective, transparent, and impactful regulation, with real-world results beginning to emerge.
“The 2024 ERI shows that Africa’s regulators are stepping up. We are now seeing stronger institutions delivering real results for utilities and consumers. This shift is critical if we are to achieve Mission 300 and connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030,” says Dr. Kevin Kariuki, AfDB Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth.
For the first time, the 2024 ERI also assessed regional regulatory bodies, recognizing their growing role in harmonizing technical standards and enabling cross-border electricity trade.
As the backbone of Mission 300, ERI continues to inform the design and implementation of national energy compacts—currently active in 12 countries, with another 20 in development.
Bridging the Gap – Addressing Ongoing Challenges
While celebrating regulatory progress, the report calls for greater focus on regulatory independence, the financial viability of utilities, and the integration of off-grid and mini-grid systems into national frameworks. The ERI underscores that regulation must translate into better access, affordability, and reliability, especially for underserved rural populations.
The report outlines priority areas for enhancing regulatory effectiveness:
- Strengthening regulatory independence
- Enhancing accountability mechanisms
- Promoting transparency and predictability
- Improving stakeholder participation
- Deepening economic regulation and advancing cost-reflective tariff methodologies.
“The ERI 2024 tells a hopeful story. African countries are not just passing laws—they are implementing them. Regulators are transforming from administrative bodies into strategic institutions with measurable influence. However, challenges related to independence, financing, and enforcement persist,” said Wale Shonibare, Director for Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulation at the Bank Group.
Launched in 2018, the ERI is a diagnostic and policy tool used by governments, regulators, and development partners to identify gaps, track progress, and prioritize reform efforts. The 2024 edition incorporates extensive feedback from utilities, regulators, and regional energy bodies.
The full ERI 2024 report will be available here (https://apo-opa.co/4kPeDmZ).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
They let down those who voted for them. Shame!
these so called councillors have taken right choices when they abandoned their so called post…
No problem the Councillors second in line from other parties will take their positions as dictated by Somaliland National Electoral commission.
Isse are so tribal. They prefer to follow order from their young so call Ougass living in Dire Dawa than to sit With their own gov or brother Gadabursi.Well they have to understand Somaliland is not Djibouti where their clan rule without really power sharing since their independence but there is peace Bcoz Dir brother Issaq and Gadabursi love peace too. Imagine just walanweyn and faqash live there too lol could not be more lucky koi.
This is a very bad advise for Isse community. What advantages will they get by quitting? They could make a big changes within the council itself instead of pulling out. I hope they will come to their sense and find a solution to this crisis, which if not solved will not be beneficial to anyone who lives in those two districts.
Is it not their given right to show their displeasure with the pretend Government or should they be silent and walk with their heads down.
hahahahahh Somaliland is by gone
who is from a minority clan namely the Gadabursi clan.kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk shame shame on you, this is democratic election isn't it they are missing the point , they should work with their brothers and their land if they are pure citizens but they shouldn't claim in a such way
It’s unfortunate that the Ciise community are not thinking right. By making the issue a Ciise issue, they are affectively spreading any problems that may arise from this to Jabuuti and Ethiopia. I think Jabouti and Ethiopia s should take firm action against the people in their jurisdiction and Somaliland should make it clear that this is a Somaliland issue and should be resolved through Somaliland. What create the chaos in the Horn is people who have no boundaries and making all the countries in the region prone to instability. People should be told to respect the laws of their respected countries.
Ciise leadership has failed miserably to abide by the results of the Nov 28 election. They failed to recognize and utilize the legal channels that are available to resolve election issues, either true NEC or Judiciary (including lower and upper courts). In addition, despite government initiatives to resolve their issues in traditional methods as well as government sponsored legal methods, they failed to move forward to come to an understanding. So far their action has been to use the blame game, manufacture unfounded allegations and to boycott every opportunity intended to reasonably defuse any election crisis. The work of the counselors and the community is at stand-still and is brought to a halt.
Time has come to stop this non-sense and move forward with the work of the local government and the people. The issues should not be tribalized not should it be used to sour the good relationship that exists between the local clans. There are plenty of legal actions that can be taken to address any legitimate grievances that exist, it is time they learn the law and move to resolve these issues by a democratic means.
This was a sham election and a disservice to the good people of Saylac and Lughaya. People were denied to vote in a manner absent of intimidation and fear of retaliation. People in this great state of Salal are no better off today than they were when the old regime of Somalia governed the country. They have every legitimate right to voice their displeasure of the status-quo and demand better governance, economic development and inalienable right to choose their own leaders – after all these are the core principles in a democracy to not only survive but thrive.