450
J. M. Kariuki
initiatives including among others the establishment of the East African
Power Pool (EAPP) have been embraced in tackling the common energy
challenges in the region. However, although there are several advantages
associated with regional cooperation, there are various barriers including
lack of energy infrastructure, weak legal and institutional frameworks at
both the national and regional levels; lack of finances to invest in regional
energy projects just to mention but a few (Nalule 2018).
Basically, the EAC is a regional intergovernmental organization of six
countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and
recently South Sudan. The EAC was established under Article 2 of the
EAC Treaty with the main objective of widening and deepening cooperation among partner states. The EAC regional integration is a progressive
process through four major pillars, including Customs Union, Common
Market, Monetary Union and the Political Federation (EAC Treaty
1999). This chapter will highlight some of the regional initiatives at
EAC, although the focus will be on Kenya for some specific energy
projects.
Even though most EAC countries are struggling with the issue of
electrification, there has been a high level of electrification in Kenya. Estimates show that by 2018, 75% of the population had access—making
the country to have the fastest increases in electrification rates within
Sub-Saharan Africa since 2013 (IEA, 2019). By 2030, Kenya will be a
middle-income country, with a considerable high living standard, and it
is projected to be the leading economy in Africa. This was just recently
released through independent studies undertaken by the World Bank
and CNN International (World Bank 2016; CNN 2018). According to
October 31, 2018, CNN led survey/poll; the respondents answered the
following questions;
• Which nation in Africa has the best workforce and innovation?
• Who will lead Africa in the next 20 years?
Rankings:
Nigeria—43%
Kenya—41%
J. M. Kariuki
initiatives including among others the establishment of the East African
Power Pool (EAPP) have been embraced in tackling the common energy
challenges in the region. However, although there are several advantages
associated with regional cooperation, there are various barriers including
lack of energy infrastructure, weak legal and institutional frameworks at
both the national and regional levels; lack of finances to invest in regional
energy projects just to mention but a few (Nalule 2018).
Basically, the EAC is a regional intergovernmental organization of six
countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and
recently South Sudan. The EAC was established under Article 2 of the
EAC Treaty with the main objective of widening and deepening cooperation among partner states. The EAC regional integration is a progressive
process through four major pillars, including Customs Union, Common
Market, Monetary Union and the Political Federation (EAC Treaty
1999). This chapter will highlight some of the regional initiatives at
EAC, although the focus will be on Kenya for some specific energy
projects.
Even though most EAC countries are struggling with the issue of
electrification, there has been a high level of electrification in Kenya. Estimates show that by 2018, 75% of the population had access—making
the country to have the fastest increases in electrification rates within
Sub-Saharan Africa since 2013 (IEA, 2019). By 2030, Kenya will be a
middle-income country, with a considerable high living standard, and it
is projected to be the leading economy in Africa. This was just recently
released through independent studies undertaken by the World Bank
and CNN International (World Bank 2016; CNN 2018). According to
October 31, 2018, CNN led survey/poll; the respondents answered the
following questions;
• Which nation in Africa has the best workforce and innovation?
• Who will lead Africa in the next 20 years?
Rankings:
Nigeria—43%
Kenya—41%