How energy costs will impact Africa’s exports

Kenyan exporters emphasized energy costs as a critical factor affecting competitiveness, noting industrial electricity tariffs in Kenya are higher than regional rivals like Ethiopia and Egypt. They called for government action to remove systemic obstacles, including energy, freight, taxation, and inter-agency coordination, rather than subsidies. Exporters highlighted that energy-intensive operations face razor-thin margins, with energy accounting for one-fifth of some companies' operating costs.