Uganda targets technology-led energy growth as it hosts Power & Elec Expo

July 8, 2026 in Business, Energy, Trade & Industry by Editor

Uganda is using the 4th Power & Elec International Expo 2026 to showcase investment opportunities, emerging technologies and policy reforms as it seeks to build a technology-driven energy sector capable of supporting industrialisation and achieving universal electricity access by 2030.

 

Uganda is seeking to position technology and innovation at the centre of its energy transition and industrialisation agenda as it hosts the 4th Power & Elec International Expo 2026, bringing together investors, manufacturers, policymakers and technology firms to explore opportunities across the country’s expanding power sector.

The three-day exhibition, organised by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in partnership with Exhibitions and Trade Services India Pvt. Ltd. (ETSIPL), Lanestar Enterprises Uganda Ltd., the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) and other sector stakeholders, runs from July 9 to 11 at the UMA Multipurpose Hall in Kampala.

Speaking ahead of the event, Minister for Energy and Mineral Development Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza said Uganda’s next phase of development will depend not only on expanding electricity generation but also on using energy to drive industrialisation, innovation and economic transformation.

Held under the theme “Scaling Energy 10X: Technology, Sustainability and Global Impact,” the Expo is expected to attract delegates from China, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye and other countries, creating a platform for investment promotion, technology transfer and business partnerships.

The event comes as Uganda aligns its energy strategy with Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and the government’s ambition of achieving ten-fold economic growth.

“The next phase of Uganda’s transformation is not simply about generating more electricity. It is about ensuring that every unit of energy powers productive enterprise, supports industrialisation, creates jobs, drives innovation and improves the livelihoods of our people,” Musenero said.

She noted that the Ministry is increasingly focusing on three strategic questions: where the investment is, where industries are located and whether energy supply is keeping pace with economic demand.

The approach reflects a broader shift from expanding electricity infrastructure alone to maximising the economic value generated from Uganda’s energy and mineral resources.

According to the Ministry, Uganda’s installed electricity generation capacity has grown to 2,098 megawatts following the commissioning of the Karuma Hydropower Project and the Nyagak III Hydropower Plant. National electricity access has reached 62.05 percent, including 24.05 percent through the national grid and 38 percent through off-grid solutions, supported by more than 2.75 million electricity connections.

Government aims to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 through continued investment in transmission infrastructure and decentralised clean energy systems.

Beyond expanding generation, Uganda is embracing emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, smart grids, battery energy storage, digital metering and advanced energy management systems to improve efficiency and strengthen the resilience of the power sector.

The Ministry is also promoting private-sector participation through policies supporting independent power transmission, renewable energy development, net metering and energy efficiency programmes.

Several large-scale generation projects remain under development, including the 840MW Ayago Hydropower Project, the 392MW Oriang project, the 400MW Kiba project and geothermal exploration, alongside continued investment in solar, wind and nuclear energy.

Uganda is simultaneously advancing its electric mobility strategy through the rollout of a national electric vehicle charging infrastructure and regulatory framework, while preparatory work continues on the proposed 8,400MW nuclear power programme in Buyende District. Human resource development for the nuclear industry is also underway through specialised training programmes at Soroti University.

A key feature of the Expo will be the Power & Elec Forum on July 10, where innovators, entrepreneurs and technology companies will discuss emerging energy technologies under the theme “Powering the Future: Innovation Pathways to 10-fold Energy Scale.”

The exhibition forms part of Uganda’s efforts to attract investors capable of bringing not only capital but also technology, skills development and manufacturing capacity as the country seeks to build a more competitive and value-driven energy economy.