Uganda’s electricity distributor Umeme is planning to significantly increase power connections in the country over the second half of this year despite the looming end of its concession in March 2025.

The company revealed that discussions are underway with the government to roll out a World Bank-funded Scale-up Connections project that will involve adding 1mn new customers to the grid.

To achieve the goal, Umeme said it has spent UGX8.13bn ($2.19mn) to hire 737 additional staff, expanding its number of employees to 2,301 from 1,564, a 47% increase.

The company, which is listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange and cross-listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, attributed the increase in staff numbers to re-organisation of the business to improve customer experience.

“The programme intends to add a million connections to the grid. The additional connections require re-enforcement investments in the capacity of the backbone distribution infrastructure,” said Umeme in its latest 2022 annual report.

If you would like to read more about the key events shaping the African energy sector, then please click here for NewsBase's AfrElec Monitor.

©2023 bne IntelliNews , source Magazine