- The Day Ahead Market (DAM) will leverage the region’s vast renewable energy resources, enabling countries to reduce costs, enhance reliability, and expand access to electricity. Regional collaboration is a cornerstone for economic development, with power trading expected to stimulate industries and improve living standards
The Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) member nations have unveiled plans to establish a centralized Day Ahead Market (DAM) by 2025, a transformative regional power trading initiative poised to impact more than 620 million people. The innovative market will integrate shared physical infrastructure with competitive mechanisms to trade low-cost energy, including renewables, promising reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity for economic growth across the region.
The announcement was made during a high-level ministerial conference held in Mombasa, Kenya, co-hosted by EAPP and the World Bank. Energy ministers, regulators, utilities, and development partners convened to assess regional preparedness for the market’s launch and finalize key frameworks.
“As policymakers, our duty is to foster an enabling environment for this market to thrive—addressing bottlenecks and aligning national priorities with regional goals,” said Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary, Opiyo Wandayi.
The EAPP aims to transition from developing cross-border infrastructure to creating institutional mechanisms and platforms for efficient energy trade. “By championing regional integration—lower costs, enhanced resilience, and accelerated renewable energy development—we can inspire the collective action needed for sustainable progress,” emphasized Okasai Opolot, Chairperson of the EAPP Council of Ministers.
The DAM will leverage the region’s vast renewable energy resources, enabling countries to reduce costs, enhance reliability, and expand access to electricity. Regional collaboration is a cornerstone for economic development, with power trading expected to stimulate industries and improve living standards.
James Wahogo, EAPP Secretary General, highlighted that the technical design of the market trading platform is nearing completion, alongside comprehensive market rules and agreements. “The EAPP power market is designed for adaptability, accommodating national differences while adhering to international standards to ensure seamless collaboration among member states,” Wahogo explained.
The ministers underscored the importance of knowledge sharing and best practices from international power pools, reaffirming their commitment to a market-driven approach to energy trade.
The DAM’s launch in 2025 is expected to mark a major milestone in Eastern Africa’s energy journey, driving economic resilience and regional integration. With improved access to low-cost electricity, the region is poised for a brighter, more sustainable future.
