East Africa is on the brink of a global investment surge, driven by the region’s untapped energy resources, alongside a thriving business landscape.

This was the clear message at the East Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (EA-ECS) where stakeholders united to deliberate on Resource Wealth, Energy Access and Investment Opportunities.

The two-day summit in Arusha fostered cooperation across East Africa, reflecting the East African Community’s (EAC) vision of deeper regional integration and the critical role of promoting industrialisation and cooperation among stakeholders.

Andrea Malueth, the Deputy Secretary General (Infrastructure, Productive, Social & Political Sectors) at the East African Community Secretariat, says energy is a pillar for development and growth and is crucial for the functioning of the economies of the EAC Partner States.

“The East Africa Energy Cooperation Summit will serve as the ideal platform for advancing projects and bringing tangible changes in the industry,” he stated.

Among the success stories highlighted at the summit include the Ethiopia-Kenya electricity highway, which underscores the transformative potential of cross-border collaboration for economic and social development.

Others were off-takers boosting the need for energy generation with the summit expected to continue focusing on both the mining industry and digital infrastructure.

Led by ministers from across the EAC and large-scale energy users, the summit deep-dived into opportunities for the private sector, advocating for a diversified energy mix to maintain grid stability to support major industrial growth, as well as C&I generation.

Elisa Palmioli, Producer, EnergyNet noted that 10 years from now, the EAC’s middle classes will have more job stability, more opportunities, and more disposable income than ever before.

“New railways, industries, ports, and tourism will position the region as the number one investment destination globally, taking the title back from both parts of Asia and Latin America,” he said.

In 2024, following EnergyNet’s Powering Africa Summit in Washington DC, US, Mara Holdings signalled their intent to invest in East Africa by signing a major off-taker MoU with the government of Kenya, setting the tone for what will potentially change the game for the region and the commercial validity for many IPPs. Joseph Siror , the Managing Director and  Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Power and Lighting said the East African countries should now move away from over dependency on Hydro sources of energy.

He pointed out that, with climate change and fluctuating weather patterns, hydroelectricity is no longer reliable and the EAC region must now consider auxiliary power sources such as Geothermal, solar, wind and biogas.