Beyond the State's Coffers
Let’s be honest, East Africa's infrastructure has long resembled a patchwork quilt made from mismatched fabrics. The ambition has always been there, but the cash and efficiency to build modern, reliable energy networks have not. This move to privatise is a tacit admission that the state’s coffers are not deep enough, and its project management skills are perhaps not sharp enough, to do the job alone. It is a pragmatic, if slightly reluctant, pivot to the free market.
I think this could be the starting pistol for a continent wide race. If Kenya pulls this off, you can bet that governments from Kampala to Dar es Salaam will be watching with keen interest, wondering if they too should sell off the family silver to fund a much needed renovation. A success story here could unleash a wave of similar infrastructure plays, creating a fascinating new frontier for investors with a taste for adventure.