The Regional Association of Energy Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa (RAERESA) is a specialized agency of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. It was established to promote regional integration and investment in the energy sector by harmonizing regulatory frameworks among member states. The organization operates under the legal framework of the COMESA Treaty, particularly Articles 106 to 109, which mandate cooperation in energy development and regulation.
RAERESA was officially launched on March 16, 2009, after the signing of its Constitution by seven founding national energy regulators: Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, and Sudan. The organization was created to address regional disparities in energy regulation and encourage the development of a sustainable and competitive energy market in the region.
RAERESAâÂÂs primary objectives include:
The governance structure of RAERESA consists of:
The Plenary: The highest decision-making body comprising representatives from member states.
The Executive Committee: Responsible for overseeing the implementation of strategic initiatives.
Portfolio Committees: Focused on specific areas such as legal harmonization and capacity building.
The Secretariat: Led by the Chief Executive Officer, it handles daily operations and coordination.
As of 2022, RAERESA includes 16 full members and 5 associate members. Full members are energy regulatory authorities from countries including Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia, among others. Associate members include Comoros, Eritrea, and Tunisia.
RAERESA undertakes various initiatives to strengthen regional energy cooperation. Its key activities include:
RAERESA collaborates with international organizations such as the International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER) and to share best practices and improve energy regulation globally. In 2022, a delegation of 13 officials from the organization visited the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), to learn about development of power in Norway, and Norway's energy law.
The association receives financial support from development partners, including the African Development Bank. In 2022, the AfDB provided a $1.5 million grant to enhance the harmonization of electricity regulations and facilitate cross-border power trading within the COMESA region.