EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo Elected to Lead Eastern Africa’s Power Market Regulator
Nairobi, Kenya – December 5, 2025 — Kenya has cemented its influence in regional energy cooperation following the election of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General, Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, as Chairperson of the Independent Regulatory Board (IRB) of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP).
Kiptoo will serve a two-year term at a decisive moment for Eastern Africa, with the region preparing to operationalise its first-ever regional electricity market in early 2026.
The EAPP electricity market is expected to reshape the regional energy landscape by enabling efficient cross-border power trading, lowering electricity costs for consumers, and improving grid stability across member countries.
As Chairperson, Kiptoo will oversee the IRB’s mandate as the market regulatory authority, ensuring strict adherence to market rules while fostering fairness, transparency, and accountability in electricity trade. His role will also include guiding regulatory compliance across technical, economic, and legal frameworks, as well as strengthening cooperation among national regulators to accelerate regional energy security and investor confidence.
Speaking in Arusha, Tanzania, during the IRB’s 10th meeting where his election was confirmed, Kiptoo described the moment as a major step toward Africa’s long-envisioned goal of integrated regional power systems.
“Eastern Africa is on the verge of realising a fully integrated electricity market that delivers reliable, affordable, and sustainable power to our people,” he said. “Regional integrations such as this allow countries to sell electricity to each other at competitive prices and provide a solution to the cost and access challenges we have long faced. I am honoured to take up this leadership role as we prepare to launch the market next year.”
Kenya stands to gain significantly from the appointment, as the country continues to advance its electricity sector through renewable energy expansion, regulatory reforms, and investment facilitation. With Kenya’s strong portfolio of clean energy especially geothermal, wind, and hydropower the leadership position is expected to enhance opportunities for exporting surplus renewable power to neighbouring states.
Mr. Kiptoo’s regional influence is further reinforced by his current positions as Chairman of the Regional Association of Energy Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa (RAERESA), Chairman of the Regulatory Energy Transition Accelerator (RETA), and Vice Chair of the International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER).
Under his chairmanship, the IRB is expected to prioritise the operational launch of the regional power market, ensure non-discriminatory access to transmission networks, and support critical regional infrastructure investments, including standardised power purchase agreements and harmonised transmission frameworks.
