By Eamonn Ryan
The World Bank has committed approximately R218-million in technical assistance to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), aiming to deepen private-sector participation and enhance liquidity across the region’s electricity market. The support falls under the RETRADE-SAPP programme and is intended to help unlock investment in cross-border transmission infrastructure.
The World Bank has committed approximately R218-million in technical assistance to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). Rawpixel | Freepik.com
The Bank says the funding will accelerate power trading among SAPP’s 12 member nations by enabling more efficient regional electricity flows and better integration of renewable energy resources. These improvements, it notes, could stimulate industrial growth and employment across southern Africa.
Steve Dihwa, executive director of the SAPP Co-ordination Centre, welcomed the backing, saying the assistance would strengthen efforts to deliver resilient energy networks while expanding private investment and regional electricity exchange.
This allocation forms part of Phase 2 of the World Bank’s RETRADE-SA Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach. It will also support the preparation and rollout of World Bank-financed interconnector projects across the region. The programme aligns with major continental initiatives, including the AU’s Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa, SADC’s Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan, the Africa Single Electricity Market, and the Bank’s Mission 300 goal to bring reliable, affordable power to 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
“Strengthening and interconnecting transmission networks remains essential for improving Africa’s electricity affordability and reliability,” said Ndiamé Diop, the World Bank’s vice-president for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Reference:
- World Bank
