Report on the state of play of the energy sector in Central Africa: Review and outlook by 2035

Bujumbura, Republic of Burundi, 21 September 2026– From 23 to 25 September 2026, the Burundian capital hosts the regional workshop to review and validate the report on the current situation and prospects of the energy sector in Central Africa by 2035.

During three days, experts from almost all the member states of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and technical and financial partners will give a detailed account of the issues affecting the development of the energy sector in Central Africa and identify the prospects for the adoption and implementation of the Energy Policy of the Community.

The aim of the Bujumbura Foundations is to make a leap forward from the current situation to regional energy policy. This change involves the diagnosis, identification of challenges, the definition of guidelines and the establishment of a common regional energy vision by 2035. The participants will analyse the political and institutional frameworks, the legal, regulatory and financial framework, legal and regulatory governance, assess the potential for so-called "primary energy" energy resources in the subregion and their level of recovery, assess and assess the situation of regional energy infrastructure in all subsectors (hydrocarbons, hydropower, renewable energy, biomass, etc.), identify development options by 2035 and assess the international and regional commitments of the Member States in view of the challenges and challenges of the subregional energy sector.

In response to these challenges and constraints, ECCAS has taken the initiative to strengthen regional energy cooperation and integration by supporting the development of energy integration projects led by several of its specialized institutions such as: PEAP, CEREEAC, CORREAC, CEPPL/EGL in particular, initiatives to develop electricity interconnections, harmonize regulations and promote investment.

In preparation for the start of work, the delegation of the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States led by the Director of Energy Mr. Desired Armand NDEMAZAGOA BACKOTTA visited the headquarters of the ECCAS Liaison Office in Burundi, where it was received by the Representative, Head of the Liaison Office in Burundi and IARCGL, its Excellency Marcelino NKO RUKU. Courtesy visits continued at the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Energy, Trade and Tourism, where the ECCAS delegation had fruitful discussions with the Minister of Energy, Industry and Tourism of the Ministry of Mining, Energy and Tourism. Dr. Hassan Kibeya. Mid-afternoon, the Director of Energy and his team were received by the Representative of AfDB in Burundi his Excellency, Mrs. Diawara MunaWith all the interlocutors, trade focused on the need to provide Central Africa with a regional energy policy, on universal access to electricity, renewable energy, on the fluidity of trade and electricity interconnections between ECCAS member states and on strengthening cooperation with technical and financial partners.

In accordance with the workshop programme, the first day will be devoted to the assessment of the current state of the energy sector, the second to the review of the prospects for the energy sector by 2035 and the orientation elements of the Regional Energy Policy, the third and final day will be reserved for the finalization and adoption of the workshop report and the closing ceremony.