Kenya and Ethiopia are seeking to deepen regional cooperation, with Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed highlighting Medemer and opportunities in clean energy, connectivity and trade as Kenya prepares for a major expansion of electricity imports in December.
Electricity imports from Ethiopia to Kenya are set to double to 400 MW during peak-demand periods in December. The planned increase comes as both countries seek stronger cooperation in clean energy, connectivity and trade.
Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), the state-owned utility, is preparing to raise electricity supplies to Kenya from 200 megawatts (MW) to 400 MW during peak-demand periods. According to EEP, the expansion should begin in December 2026, after both countries complete technical preparations and testing.
Meanwhile, a joint technical committee is overseeing trial operations. The tests will assess the stability and security of the connected grids before the countries increase electricity flows. They will also help determine whether the systems can handle the additional supply reliably.
The planned increase comes as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed calls for closer ties between the two neighbours.
Speaking at Kenya’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret on 20 October 2026, Abiy urged both countries to strengthen cooperation in clean energy, connectivity, telecommunications and trade, according to Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
“Through the spirit of Medemer, Ethiopia and Kenya must continue building on our existing cooperation in clean energy, connectivity, telecommunications, and trade to create greater opportunities and shared prosperity for our people,” Abiy said, according to the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).
Abiy did not announce a new energy agreement or investment commitment. However, the planned increase in electricity imports offers a concrete example of the cooperation already underway between the two countries.
Peak imports to rise to 400 MW
The increase in electricity imports from Ethiopia will strengthen Kenya’s access to cross-border power supplies during peak-demand periods.
EEP announced on 16 September 2026 that the increase should take effect in December, subject to successful technical preparations and trial operations.
Under the supply arrangement reported by Capital Ethiopia, Kenya expects to import up to 400 MW during peak-demand periods. Off-peak supplies will also increase, from 65 MW to 150 MW.
However, the 400 MW figure does not represent a constant level of imports throughout the day. Actual deliveries will depend on the agreed supply schedule and the operation of the connected power systems.
An electricity link built for regional trade
The Ethiopia-Kenya interconnector provides the infrastructure needed to transmit electricity between the two countries.
The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) says the 500-kilovolt high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) link connects Wolayta/Sodo in Ethiopia with Suswa in Kenya. Its converter substations can transfer up to 2,000 MW.
The planned 400 MW peak supply remains well below that technical capacity. However, the figures measure different things: 400 MW represents the planned peak supply from Ethiopia, while 2,000 MW describes the interconnector’s transfer capacity. The difference does not automatically translate into additional electricity available for commercial imports.
The interconnector also supports a wider regional effort to integrate East Africa’s electricity systems. KETRACO identifies the project as part of the Eastern Africa Power Pool, which aims to facilitate cross-border electricity trading and strengthen connections between national grids.
Ethiopia looks beyond Kenya
Ethiopia is also expanding its electricity exports to other neighbours. EEP says it supplies 100 MW to Tanzania on a pilot basis. Regular exports could follow once upgrades to the Kenya-Tanzania electricity connection are complete, according to EEP.
The planned December increase therefore has implications beyond Kenya’s additional electricity supply. By raising peak deliveries from 200 MW to 400 MW, Ethiopia and Kenya will test their ability to manage higher cross-border power flows.
If the countries complete the technical preparations as planned, the increase will mark another step in East Africa’s shift from building cross-border electricity infrastructure to making greater commercial use of it.
