Kigali — The UN Economic Commission for Africa has conducted a training to strengthen the energy financial planning capacity in Eastern Africa for energy supply expansion.

The 5-day training in Kigali focused on Financial and Investment Planning for Electricity Supply Expansion using the Financial Analysis of Electric Sector Expansion Plans (FINPLAN) Tool.

According to Mr. Yohannes Hailu, Economic Affairs Officer at ECA, energy planning has been inadequate in most of Eastern African countries for nearly two decades. "The rapid growth in energy demand in Eastern Africa is putting pressure on energy sector planners in matching it with planned supply expansion. Financial planning capacity for energy supply expansion is a regional gap, and this training is aiming to contribute towards bridging it", said Hailu.

The Kigali training helped experts to respond to the energy planning gaps in member States by acquiring knowledge on (FINPLAN).

This training follows another course held in Addis Ababa on June 2017, which focused on energy demand and supply planning and management.

The training was organized through the collaboration of ECA Capacity Development Division, and ECA Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).