Challenges and opportunities in developing a common legal and regulatory framework on energy in East African Community

Abstract

Energy is globally an important pillar for sustainable economic development and all countries seek energy efficiency. However, in Africa, they are still many challenges in the energy sector with limited energy access for the population and a huge energy deficit. In this regard, many initiatives following the AU Agenda 2063 have been introduced with a regional approach focused to address energy deficit in Africa as a necessary key to reducing poverty and increasing economic growth of the Continent. East African Community, as a Regional Economic Community, faces energy challenges with a great impact on its economic development and prosperity. Indeed, the lack of energy is a major impediment for the development of the region as a whole and for the achievement of the regional integration aimed as a Community. Among many challenges faced by the energy sector in East African Community, the lack of a legal and regulatory framework on energy in the region is included and needs to be addressed in order to facilitate and improve trade and investment in the Community. This research work aims to review the legal and regulatory landscape on energy in EAC to assess the achievements, challenges, and opportunities of the energy sector to seek a foundation to develop a common legal and regulatory framework on energy in EAC promoting trade and investment through lessons learned from ECOWAS. The study, therefore, seeks sustainable energy development in East African Community considering environmental aspects while contributing to strengthening regional integration and economic development by reducing the energy deficit and increasing energy access permitted by a sound legal and regulatory framework providing an attractive environment for energy projects development.