Industrial Leaders from Across the EAC Train on Energy Efficiency to Boost Productivity and Reduce Energy Costs

Industrial leaders from the eight East African Community Partner States convened for a two-day virtual training on industrial energy efficiency aimed at strengthening private sector capacity to improve energy performance and industrial competitiveness.

Organised by the East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE) in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO),  the training was held from 22 to 23 July 2026. It primarily targeted private sector actors in the industrial sector, equipping them with practical, business-oriented solutions to reduce energy costs, improve productivity, enhance long-term competitiveness and profitability, and promote regional knowledge exchange among EAC Partner States. A total of 45 participants representing manufacturers’ associations and industries from across the EAC Partner States were trained on industrial energy-efficiency opportunities, energy management systems, key energy cost drivers in industrial operations, and financing mechanisms for energy-efficiency investments.

The industrial sector plays a crucial role in driving economic growth, creating employment and adding value across the East African Community. Manufacturing and agro-processing industries, largely driven by the private sector, are key contributors to the region’s GDP.  However, they also remain among the most energy-intensive sectors, highlighting the need for improved energy management practices to enhance competitiveness while reducing operational costs. During the second day of the training, participants explored the financing aspects of industrial energy efficiency. Sessions covered financing instruments, economic analysis and best practices for financing energy efficiency projects in industrial facilities.

Speaking at the opening of the training, Mr Noah Asinge from the Energy and Climate Action Division of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, called on EAC Partner States not only to invest in expanding energy generation but also to support industries in unlocking the value of energy efficiency.

“At UNIDO, we recognise energy efficiency as one of the pillars of a competitive, resilient and low-carbon industrial pathway. It enables companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a world where businesses are increasingly expected to demonstrate sustainability”

He further underscored EACREEE’s pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of energy efficiency best practices across the region, noting that energy efficiency is one of the ten areas outlined in the EACREEE strategic plan 2025 – 2030.

The two-day training sessions concluded with key recommendations for advancing industrial energy efficiency across the region, including:

• Promoting Regional harmonisation of energy audit reporting frameworks to facilitate monitoring and exchange of best practice across the EAC Partner States
• Mainstreaming energy efficiency within industrial operations through the adoption of energy management systems and continuous performance monitoring
• Fostering continuous knowledge exchange among government, industrial practitioners, private sector, and development partners to accelerate the uptake of energy-efficient practices
• Strengthening access to financing mechanisms and investment readiness to support the implementation of energy efficiency projects
• Strengthening awareness and technical capacity among industries to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures.