From 1 to 5 June 2026, Comoros hosted a five-day training on minigrid pricing and regulation, organised by the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR) using the African Model Minigrid Regulations Tool, with financial support from UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as part of the Africa Minigrids Program (AMP). The workshop is one of several ongoing regional trainings designed to scale Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions across AMP countries.
Comoros’ electricity access varies sharply by island, from around 95% in Grande Comore to just 49% in Anjouan, and the sector remains heavily reliant on costly diesel generation, according to a recent World Bank assessment. Renewable minigrids offer a path to more resilient, affordable service, provided pricing and regulation are designed to keep them sustainable.
The training brought together more than 23 participants from the private sector, the Ministry of Energy, SONELEC, and the country’s energy regulator, focusing on the strategic challenge of designing fair, transparent, and sustainable tariffs for minigrids. Through technical sessions, case studies, and hands-on tools delivered by AFUR trainers, participants worked to strengthen their understanding of the mechanisms underpinning effective minigrid tariff design and regulation.
The timing carried particular significance for the Union of the Comoros, coming just as the country strengthened its legal framework for the sector: a decree issued on 4 June 2026 establishes regulations for renewable energy self-production and sets out provisions for the organisation of mini-grids nationwide. The training equips national stakeholders with the practical skills needed to translate this new regulatory framework into effective implementation, while encouraging greater private sector participation in the sector.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts under AMP Comoros to support capacity building, regulatory development, and the scale-up of distributed renewable energy solutions across participating countries. AMP partners thank UNDP, GEF, AFUR, the Ministry of Energy, and all participants and partners mobilized to advance the minigrid sector in the Comoros.
