Swakopmund, Namibia | 27 March 2026
Advancing Innovative and Resilient Utility Regulation in Africa
The African School of Regulation (ASR) successfully participated in the 22nd AFUR Annual Conference 2026, held from 23 to 27 March 2026 in Swakopmund, Namibia. Organized in collaboration with the Electricity Control Board (ECB), the conference convened over 200 delegates under the theme “Innovative Technologies for Inclusive and Resilient Utility Regulation.”
The event brought together regulators, policymakers, utilities, and industry experts from across the continent to explore how emerging technologies are reshaping the future of utility regulation. Key discussions focused on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and big data in optimizing demand forecasting, enhancing grid stability, improving fault detection, and increasing operational efficiency across the energy, water, and transport sectors. Additional sessions addressed tariff design for smart metering and prosumer integration, cybersecurity and data protection, and the use of advanced tools such as drones, geospatial systems, and remote sensing technologies.
In partnership with the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR), ASR led three high-level panel discussions on: Sustainable Electrification Options for Africa; Unlocking Private Capital for Transmission: Models, Risks, and Regulatory Reform; and Powering Regional Growth: The Case for Integrated Electricity Markets. These sessions provided a platform for forward-looking dialogue on scaling investment, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and accelerating regional integration.
A key highlight of the conference was the announcement by the ASR’s Executive Director of a joint AFUR–ASR initiative to organize the first African Summit on Energy Regulation, scheduled for September 2027. This landmark event is expected to further strengthen collaboration and knowledge exchange among regulators and sector stakeholders across Africa.
The conference underscored the urgent need for continuous capacity building to equip regulators with the tools and expertise required to navigate the complexities of rapidly evolving technologies. In this context, ASR reaffirmed its central role in delivering high-impact training, policy dialogue, and knowledge-sharing platforms to support regulators, policymakers, and utilities in building more resilient and future-ready energy systems.
The ASR delegation included:
- Dr. Abdulkadir Shettima, Executive Director
- Prof. Ignacio Perez Arriaga, Senior Advisor
- Mariani Morazzo, General Manager
- Dr. Charly Gatete, Director of Research
- Ing. Nutifafa Kodzo Fiasorgbor, Director of Training
