East Africa sits on a goldmine of geothermal energy. Yet, it remains largely untapped. The region’s Great Rift Valley stretching from the Red Sea to Mozambique holds an estimated 20,000 megawatts (MW) of geothermal potential.This is enough to power millions of homes and industries. Only a fraction has been developed. Kenya leads with about 950 MW of installed capacity. Ethiopia follows with 7.3 MW. Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda lag behind. Why?
The answer lies in a mix of high costs, technical challenges, and policy gaps. Geothermal exploration is expensive. Drilling a single well can cost up to $10 million. The risk of failure is high. “You can spend millions and hit a dry well,” says Eng. Sami Osman The Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) Regional Resources Engineer. “It’s a gamble many investors shy away from.”
Kenya’s success offers lessons. The country has invested heavily in geothermal since the 1980s. Olkaria, its flagship project, now supplies about 30% of the national grid. “Kenya’s government took the lead,” said Osman. “They absorbed the initial risks, which attracted private investors later.”
High Costs and High Risks
Other East African nations struggle to replicate this model. Ethiopia’s Aluto Langano geothermal plant, operational since 1998, produces only 7.3 MW. Plans to expand have stalled. “Funding is a major hurdle,” said Dr. Habtamu Itefa Geleta Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy. “We need more international support.” Ethiopia has identified several geothermal sites, including Corbetti and Tulu Moye, but progress has been slow due to financial and technical constraints.
Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda are even further behind. Tanzania’s Ngozi geothermal project, identified in the 1980s, remains undeveloped. Uganda’s prospects in the Albertine Graben are still in the exploration phase. Rwanda’s Karisimbi project has faced delays due to funding shortages. “We have the resources,” said Robert Sunday, Assistant Director of Water and energy Resources, Ministry of Water Tanzania “What we lack is the will to act.”
The Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) has tried to bridge the gap. NELSAP, a regional initiative, promotes geothermal development in East Africa. It has conducted feasibility studies and resource assessments in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. “Geothermal is a regional resource,” said NELSAP-CU Regional Coordinator Eng, Dr. Isaac Alukwe, “Collaboration is key to unlocking its potential.”
High Stakes
The stakes are high. East Africa’s population is growing rapidly, and demand for electricity is outstripping supply. Over 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, and those who do often face unreliable power. Geothermal energy offers a stable, renewable solution. Unlike solar and wind, which are intermittent, geothermal provides baseload power—consistent energy day and night. This makes it ideal for powering industries, schools, and hospitals.
The benefits extend beyond energy. Geothermal projects create jobs, from drilling and construction to operation and maintenance. They reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. In Kenya, the Maasai community near Olkaria has benefited from geothermal development. Schools, hospitals, and water projects have been built, improving livelihoods.
International partners have stepped in to support geothermal development. The World Bank, African Development Bank, and Japan International Cooperation Agency have funded projects in the region. For example, the World Bank has supported Kenya’s geothermal expansion through the Geothermal Energy Development Project. Similarly, the African Development Bank has funded feasibility studies in Tanzania and Uganda. Yet, more is needed. “We need long-term commitments,” said Alukwe “Not just one-off grants.”
Engaging Communities from the Start
Kenya’s Olkaria Geothermal Power Station, the first of its kind in Africa, was established in 1981. Photo Credit: Flickr
Local communities also play a key role. In Kenya, community engagement has been key to the success of geothermal projects. The Maasai near Olkaria were initially skeptical but have since embraced geothermal development. “This made a big difference.” In contrast, projects in other countries have faced resistance due to lack of community involvement. “People need to see the benefits,” Osman said. “Otherwise, they will oppose development.”
East Africa’s geothermal potential is immense. The technology is proven. The benefits are clear. The question is not whether it can be done, but when. The time to act is now. With the right investments and policies, geothermal energy could transform East Africa’s energy landscape, providing clean, reliable power for millions. It could drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve livelihoods. It could position East Africa as a leader in renewable energy. But this will only happen if governments, investors, and communities come together to unlock this untapped potential.
Driving Economic Growth and Jobs
The benefits extend beyond energy. Geothermal projects create jobs. They reduce reliance on fossil fuels. They can power industries, schools, and hospitals. “Geothermal is a game-changer,” said Alukwe “But only if we invest in it.”
Local communities also play a role. In Kenya, the Maasai community near Olkaria has benefited from geothermal development. Schools, hospitals, and water projects have been built. “Geothermal has changed their lives,” said Alukwe. “But the country need more projects like this.”
Governments must prioritize geothermal. They should de-risk investments by funding early-stage exploration. Regional cooperation, through bodies like NELSAP, must be strengthened. International partners should offer sustained support. And communities must be engaged from the start.
Alukwe noted that East Africa’s geothermal potential is immense. The technology is proven. The benefits are clear. The question is not whether it can be done, but when. The time to act is now.
