Uganda has launched a US $17.7bn national energy investment compact aimed at expanding electricity access, increasing clean cooking adoption and strengthening its position as a regional power exporter by 2030.
The Uganda National Energy Compact was officially launched on 22 October 2026 by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, during the 11th Africa Energy Market Place (AEMP) in Kampala. The initiative forms part of Mission 300, a joint programme by the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group seeking to provide electricity access to an additional 300 million people across Africa by 2030. The energy compacts establish country-specific targets, policy reforms and investment commitments to accelerate electrification across the continent.
The two-day forum under the theme From Mission 300 to Vision 2040: Delivering Uganda’s Energy Ambition, brought together government officials, utilities, regulators, development partners and private investors to establish an implementation framework for the country’s energy programme. Participants developed a Uganda Energy Access Investment Brief identifying priority projects, financing requirements and policy reforms. They also classified projects into two categories, with Category A projects expected to become operational by the end of 2030 and Category B projects targeted to reach financial close within the same period.
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Regulatory and policy changes
The discussions further produced recommendations on regulatory and policy changes, alongside an agreement to establish a Compact Delivery and Monitoring Unit within the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The unit will coordinate implementation, monitor progress and strengthen accountability.
Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja formally launched the compact, describing it as an overdue framework for coordinating the country’s energy ambitions. She called on private investors to play a greater role in expanding energy infrastructure and improving electricity access. Energy and Mineral Development Minister Monica Masanza said the agreement provides a practical implementation framework by assigning responsibilities, timelines and financing arrangements to the country’s energy priorities.
According to the compact, Uganda aims to achieve 85% electricity access and 50% access to clean cooking by 2030. The country also plans to have approximately 2,500 MW of electricity generation capacity operational, with an additional 5,800 MW reaching financial close for commissioning beyond 2030.
Other targets include developing 2,712 mini-grids and increasing regional electricity exports to between 500 MW and 650 MW by the end of the decade. The government expects the programme to mobilise $17.7 billion in investment, including approximately $9.4 billion in private-sector financing. AfDB Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth Kevin Kariuki said Uganda’s renewable energy potential and planned sector reforms could strengthen its position in regional electricity trade through the East African Power Pool. He also highlighted proposed reforms supporting independent transmission projects as an important component of the country’s efforts to expand electricity infrastructure and facilitate cross-border power trading.
Wale Shonibare, the Bank Group’s Director for Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulation, said the Africa Energy Market Place provides a platform for addressing regulatory and institutional challenges that often limit private investment in energy infrastructure. The Uganda National Energy Compact was initially presented at the Africa Energy Forum in June 2026 as part of the third group of countries participating in Mission 300. The October meeting in Kampala marked the first formal consultation focused on translating its commitments into funded and implementable projects.
The Compact Delivery and Monitoring Unit is expected to submit its first six-month progress report in December 2026, providing an initial assessment of implementation progress and outstanding priorities.
