KAMPALA – Geothermal energy experts from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and France have convened in Uganda for a week-long technical meeting and field excursion aimed at accelerating exploration and development of the region’s untapped geothermal resources.
The engagement brings together specialists working on renewable energy transitions in the East African Rift System, one of the world’s most promising geothermal belts. The discussions are focused on knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and strengthening regional cooperation in clean energy development.
Uganda, which is actively exploring geothermal prospects in areas such as the western rift valley, is hosting the delegation as part of broader efforts to diversify its energy mix beyond hydropower and thermal sources.
The meeting follows ongoing regional initiatives under the East African Community (EAC) aimed at boosting energy security and expanding access to affordable electricity through renewable sources.
According to energy experts, geothermal power offers a reliable and sustainable alternative because it provides continuous baseload electricity, unlike solar and wind, which depend on weather conditions. The East African Rift Valley is widely regarded as a high-potential zone due to its volcanic activity and underground heat resources.
The delegation is expected to conduct field visits to geothermal prospects in western Uganda, where preliminary surveys have identified promising sites for future development. These include areas around the Albertine Graben, which has been the focus of both oil and geothermal exploration activities.
French experts participating in the mission are contributing technical expertise in geothermal mapping, drilling technologies, and reservoir management, while regional partners from Kenya and Tanzania bring experience from established geothermal production zones such as Olkaria Geothermal Field and Songwe Geothermal Area.
Kenya remains the leading geothermal producer in Africa, with decades of development experience that Uganda and other regional states are seeking to learn from as they scale up their own projects.
Ugandan energy officials say the collaboration is timely as the country works to meet rising electricity demand driven by industrial growth, urbanization, and rural electrification programmes.
The week-long programme is expected to conclude with technical recommendations on accelerating geothermal exploration, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and attracting investment into the sector.
If successfully harnessed, geothermal energy could play a significant role in supporting East Africa’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
