- East African nations must urgently reform energy policies, invest in renewables, and expand domestic refining to reduce reliance on imported oil amid rising geopolitical tensions.
- Policy reforms, energy diversification, and regional cooperation are key to ensuring energy security.
Speaking at the East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EAPCE) 2025, Engr. Dora Ernest, Acting Manager of Planning, Marketing, and Investment at TANOIL, emphasised the need for policy reforms, regional cooperation, and energy diversification to protect East Africa from volatile global energy markets.
As global geopolitical tensions escalate, East African countries are urged to bolster their energy sectors urgently to shield themselves from economic shocks and supply disruptions.
The region remains heavily dependent on imported oil, making it particularly vulnerable to external pressures. Ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, conflict in the Middle East, and the war in Ukraine have exacerbated supply chain disruptions and price volatility.
“Countries like Tanzania and Kenya are especially at risk,” Engr. Ernest noted. “These geopolitical tensions affect not only oil supply chains but also fuel prices and the availability of refined products.”
To tackle these challenges, Engr. Ernest called for gradual policy reforms across East Africa, urging nations to align their energy regulations with broader frameworks like the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“By harmonising our policies, we can stabilise energy markets and reduce risks such as price fluctuations and supply shortages,” she said.
She also underscored the importance of energy diversification through expanded domestic refining capacity and renewable energy investments. “Reducing reliance on imported oil through local refining and renewables will build a more resilient energy sector,” she emphasised.
Engr. Ernest highlighted the role of sovereign wealth funds as financial buffers during periods of high volatility, ensuring economic stability.
She also called for establishing early warning systems to monitor global energy market shifts, enabling proactive measures before disruptions escalate. “We must work together and leverage our collective resources to ensure energy security. Joint projects and trade agreements will help stabilise fuel prices and secure a sustainable energy future for the region,” she stated.
Industry leaders echoed the need for regional cooperation and investment at the conference.
Leparan Ole Morintat, CEO of the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK), reaffirmed the region’s commitment to developing its oil and gas sector through collaboration and innovation.
Joe Mwakanjuki, Vice President of Energy Infrastructure at Stanbic Tanzania, highlighted the bank’s continued support for financing major energy projects, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
Edward Misana, a Geologist at the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), emphasised the untapped potential of the East African Rift System (EARS) basins, which could transform the region’s energy landscape.
“East Africa has enormous hydrocarbon resources, with discoveries in Uganda and Kenya and ongoing exploration in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and beyond,” Misana stated.
With geopolitical risks rising, East African countries must take urgent steps to strengthen their energy security. Through policy reforms, investment in renewables, financial preparedness, and regional cooperation, the region can build a more stable and resilient energy sector.
Industry leaders stress that collective action today will determine East Africa’s energy future in the face of growing global uncertainties.