The Regional Energy Regulators Association of Southern Africa (RERA) has appointed Electricity Control Board of Namibia (ECB ) Manager for Regulatory Affairs Francois Robinson as its interim Executive Director following the resignation of Elijah Sichone on 15 August 2024.
The appointment was approved by RERA’s Executive Committee during a meeting held on 9 September 2024 and is set for six months or until a permanent Executive Director is selected.
Chairperson of RERA Skhumbuzo Tsabedze said Robinson brings over 20 years of experience in the energy sector, particularly in electricity, which will be invaluable as RERA continues to pursue its mandate.
“Robinson’s leadership is vital to maintaining RERA’s strategic direction during this transitional period. His interim appointment ensures that our operations remain uninterrupted while we search for a long-term replacement,” he said.
He further added Robinson is currently serving in various capacities at the Electricity Control Board of Namibia, as well as being actively involved with the African Forum of Utility Regulators (AFUR).
“His extensive experience in regulatory environments and his contributions to energy sector development across Africa make him well-suited for this role. We are confident he will provide the necessary leadership and vision during this critical time,” noted the chair.
The appointment follows the departure of Sichone, who served as RERA’s Executive Director for 19 years.
“We are deeply grateful for Sichone’s dedication to the growth of RERA. Under his leadership, the Association has made significant strides in advancing the harmonisation of energy regulations within the SADC region,” Tsabedze acknowledged Sichone’s contributions.
In his interim role, Robinson will oversee day-to-day operations and work closely with RERA’s Executive Committee to guide the Association’s activities.
“His understanding of the regulatory environment and his leadership experience will be critical as RERA continues its mission to develop a sustainable regional energy market,” said Tsabedze.
RERA, established in 2002, serves as a platform for cooperation among energy regulators in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
The Association aims to harmonise energy regulatory policies, legislation and standards to create an integrated and sustainable energy market in the region.
Robinson at the handover ceremony shared some high-level projects and initiatives that RERA has developed since its establishment.
“In the early 2000s, one of the key issues recognised by the region was the need for investment in the energy sector. As a response, one of RERA’s first initiatives was to develop an Independent Power Producer (IPP) and investment framework for the region. This was a significant early deliverable,” he said.
He added that the second initiative involved developing cross-border guidelines that enabled IPP generators and utilities to exchange power across countries.
Following this, “RERA recognised the importance of harmonising relevant agreements to facilitate investor interactions, so we developed template agreements to support this process”.
The New Director noted that the key achievement at RERA was the creation of performance indicators for utilities.
“For example, utilities like NamPower and others across the region now follow a set of key performance indicators that measure and signal efficiency within the industry. These indicators have been endorsed by RERA member countries and are now enforceable,” he said.
