Uganda requires shs23tn to achieve universal electricity access

Uganda has unveiled an ambitious plan to achieve universal electricity access by 2040, but bridging the gap will require a staggering UGX 23 trillion in new energy infrastructure investments.

This was revealed by State Minister for Energy, Sidronious Okasaai Opolot, during the 2025 Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) held at Speke Resort Munyonyo Kampala.

Speaking during the Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) 2025 in Kampala, Okasaai acknowledged that despite major investments totaling over USD 1.5 billion in the past decade, the funding gap remains wide.

“We’re investing across the generation, transmission, and distribution segments, but we need greater collaboration and financing—especially from the private sector—to deliver on our promise of universal energy access,” Okasaai said. He cited Uganda’s vast potential in hydro, solar, wind, and geothermal resources, noting that the government’s free electricity connection policy is a key tool to accelerate household access by 2030.

Held under the theme “Accelerating Sustainable Energy Investment in Africa,” the three-day EAIF 2025 convened hundreds of energy leaders, financiers, and policy makers. The event was co-hosted by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) and the European Union through its Global Gateway Initiative, with support from GET.invest.

The focus is not only on traditional grid expansion, but also on off-grid and clean energy solutions. Okasaai highlighted key initiatives like the Uganda Energy Access Scale-up Project (EASP), funded by the World Bank, which supports mini-grids, solar systems, and clean cooking technologies—particularly in refugee settlements and rural communities.

“This is about productive use of electricity, not just lighting homes,” he said. “We want to power businesses, schools, health centres, and boost economic activity.”

ARE CEO David Lecoque echoed this vision, stating, “We need to create an enabling environment for investment. The energy transition in Africa is not only possible—it’s already happening, and Uganda is a key part of that.”

Private sector voices at the forum stressed the need for credit access, risk guarantees, and technology transfer to make Uganda’s energy goals bankable. Carol Koech of Schneider Electric noted that empowering local entrepreneurs and ensuring affordable financing would unlock major gains in access and sustainability.

On the diplomatic front, EU Ambassador Jan Sadek reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment: “We’re supporting Uganda not just with grants, but also concessional loans to scale access, promote clean cooking, and protect the environment for future generations.”

Uganda’s plan is aligned with SDG 7 and the Paris Agreement, and comes as global leaders move to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. The momentum from events like M300 in Tanzania, where over USD 50 billion was pledged for energy access globally, suggests that countries like Uganda could ride the wave of blended finance and green innovation to close the energy gap—if the right policies and partnerships are in place.