EU TAF mission supports institutional and regulatory strengthening of Guinea-Bissau’s energy sector

As part of the technical assistance provided by the European Union’s Technical Assistance Facility (TAF), Guinea-Bissau recently hosted a mission aimed at strengthening the energy sector’s institutional framework, with a focus on modernising the structures of the Ministry of Energy, enhancing the technical capacities of sector institutions, and developing the national regulatory framework.

Among the main activities carried out were sessions to validate the future Organisation Manual of the Ministry of Energy and the Directorate-General for Energy (DGE), including a review of the organisational structure, the responsibilities of the different organisational units, and the competency profiles required for the sector.

The mission also included a “Dialogue on Institutional and Regulatory Reforms”, dedicated to the creation of the future Regulatory Authority for the Energy, Water and Sanitation Sectors of Guinea-Bissau (ARSE-GB). During the discussions, participants reviewed the current regulatory framework, the proposed institutional architecture of the regulatory authority, and a roadmap for its implementation.

The ongoing regulatory reform seeks to strengthen governance in the energy sector through the establishment of an independent regulatory authority capable of promoting greater transparency, confidence, consumer protection, and investment attractiveness.

Capacity-building activities were also delivered to technical staff from the Ministry of Energy, the DGE and the Electricity and Water Company of Guinea-Bissau (EAGB), with a focus on the management of contracts for the operation and maintenance of energy infrastructure, in a context of expanding electricity networks and increasing energy access across the country.

The next steps include consolidating the contributions gathered during the working sessions, finalising the sector’s organisational instruments, and advancing the process for the establishment and operationalisation of ARSE-GB, thereby contributing to a more robust institutional and regulatory framework that is conducive to investment.

With the support of the European Union, UEMOA and ECOWAS, this initiative contributes to strengthening governance in Guinea-Bissau’s energy sector and creating favourable conditions for improving energy services and attracting investment.