Kenya’s electricity imports from Ethiopia have surged sharply in recent years, reflecting a growing reliance on cross-border power trade to meet rising demand.
Data shows imports increased from just 4.69 million kilowatt-hours in 2020 to over 1,400 million kilowatt-hours by 2025, marking a dramatic scale-up in energy exchange between the two countries.
The jump became more pronounced after 2022, with imports rising significantly in 2023 and continuing an upward trend through 2024 and 2025.
This growth has positioned Ethiopia as the third-largest supplier of electricity to Kenya Power, contributing close to 10 per cent of the total supply.
The increased imports are largely supported by regional interconnection projects aimed at enhancing energy security and reducing reliance on expensive thermal power.
As demand for electricity continues to grow, especially in urban and industrial sectors, cross-border imports are expected to play an even bigger role in stabilising supply and supporting Kenya’s transition to a more reliable and affordable energy mix.
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