Windhoek, Namibia 12 November 2026 – Enhanced regional energy interconnection, integrated power markets and expanded digital infrastructure are key to accelerating industrialisation, increasing intra-African trade, and advancing regional integration in Eastern and Southern Africa.

This was a major message from Session 6 of the 2026 Joint Session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE 2026) in Windhoek, under the theme of "Energy Connectivity, ICT and Regional Power Market Pooling in support of Industrialisation in Eastern and Southern Africa".

Moderated by Ms Olayinka Bandele, Chief of Industrialisation at the ECA Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA), the session brought together experts from the various regional power pools, the various energy institutions, and the UN to discuss how integrated energy systems and digital connectivity can provide the required infrastructure for industrialisation and the development of regional value chains.

Presenting an issues paper on energy connectivity, ICT and regional power market pooling, Mr Oliver Maponga, Economic Affairs Officer at SRO-SA stressed the importance of reliable electricity, efficient cross-border power trading and improved digital connectivity for industrial development. The paper identified opportunities for the East Africa Power Pool (EAPP) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) to work more closely to expand electricity trade, improve energy security and support regional industrial value chains. The development of transmission infrastructure was underlined as key for developing an efficient pooling system.

In the ensuing discussions, Mr James Wahogo of the EAPP identified harmonisation of technical standards, regulatory frameworks, market rules and commercial arrangements, including cost of transmitting power and settlement currencies, as priorities for deeper integration. He stressed the need for compatible yet flexible market frameworks that accommodate countries at different stages of electricity market development.

In his intervention, Mr Wilson Masango of SAPP highlighted the operational realities of regional electricity markets, including transmission constraints, renewable energy integration and the need to strengthen cross-border trading arrangements.

Addressing clean energy and energy efficiency, Mr. Kudakwashe Ndhlukula of the Southern African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) called for policy and financing reforms to mobilise investment, strengthen energy efficiency services, and promote harmonised professional certification frameworks to build market confidence.

Mr. Yohannes Hailu of ECA stressed that reliable and affordable energy must be intentionally integrated into national and regional industrialisation strategies. Drawing lessons from other countries he noted that successful industrialisation requires dependable power, strategic infrastructure investment, and sustained political commitment. He also called for stronger regional institutions and greater cooperation to move countries beyond isolated national approaches toward shared infrastructure, enhanced resilience, and more efficient energy systems.

The ensuing discussion also highlighted rising electricity demand from emerging industries and technologies, including electric vehicles and data centres, as well as opportunities offered by hydro, solar, and nuclear energy. Participants emphasised the need to address transmission constraints, strengthen energy infrastructure security, promote technology transfer, and expand local manufacturing capabilities.

The session noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an opportunity to expand intra-African trade and regional value chains and emphasised that realising these gains will require reliable and competitive energy systems that support industrial production and seamless cross-border trade.

Key recommendations

Participants called for:

• Accelerating cross-border transmission infrastructure and strengthening interconnections between EAPP and SAPP;

• Harmonising technical standards, regulatory frameworks, and commercial arrangements to facilitate regional electricity trade;

• Mobilising investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and digital infrastructure;

• Strengthening regional institutions and aligning energy planning with industrialisation priorities;

• Advancing technology transfer, skills development, and local manufacturing of energy technologies; and

• Improving project preparation and financing mechanisms to accelerate investment in regional energy infrastructure.

The session reaffirmed that energy connectivity and digital transformation are not only infrastructure priorities but also strategic enablers of Africa’s industrialisation, competitiveness, and economic integration. Thus, as Eastern and Southern African countries advance AfCFTA implementation, stronger regional power markets and integrated energy systems will be essential for expanding productive capacity, unlocking economies of scale, and building resilient regional value chains.

For media inquiries
Ms. Lavender C. Degre
Communication Officer
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Subregional Office for Southern Africa
lavender.degre@un.org

Mr. Didier Habimana
Communication Officer
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Subregional Office for Eastern Africa
habimanad@un.org

Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org