Uganda has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world, so bringing electricity to more than 40 million Ugandans is a critical national and regional objective. Despite significant efforts over the last 20 years, the rate has remained low—around 24%. Although power is available in Uganda, many communities, homes, and businesses do not have access to electricity due to expensive grid connection fees, including high house wiring costs. To fast-track and scale electrification access, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), working with several donor organizations including USAID and Power Africa, developed the national Electricity Connections Policy (ECP). Operationalized in November 2018, the ECP removes electricity connection fees (at least $165) and significantly reduces the inspection charges for customers. To rapidly scale this program, REA needed implementation support to purchase thousands of poles and miles of wires while making ordinary Ugandans aware of the policy and its value.
USAID and Power Africa, through the Power Africa Uganda Electricity Supply Accelerator, provided the Government of Uganda with resources and know-how to scale this program nationally. Embedding advisors in REA to accelerate the procurement of thousands of poles, meters, and ready boards, USAID and Power Africa provided critical logistical assistance to REA. Power Africa also developed business systems to help REA manage and track the hundreds of thousands of new connections made possible by the ECP.
