Kenya and France have deepened their strategic partnership in the energy sector with the signing of an €82.7 million (Sh12 billion) agreement to support the construction of Kenya’s state-of-the-art National System Control Centre (NSCC) in Embakasi, Nairobi.
The deal, backed by concessional financing from the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Treasury, was reaffirmed during a high-level site visit by Thani Mohamed Soilihi, the French Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships. The NSCC project is being implemented by a consortium of GE Vernova and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
“France is committed to supporting critical infrastructure that enhances sustainability, energy reliability, and economic growth,” said French Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Arnaud Suquet. “This project is a strong testament to the enduring partnership between Kenya and France.”The NSCC forms a major part of the broader €94 million AFD RETNET programme and is set to revolutionize how electricity is managed across Kenya. Once complete, it will provide real-time grid supervision, boost the integration of renewable energy sources, and enhance system reliability and efficiency.
The main control centre will be housed at the Embakasi substation, with a fully equipped backup facility at Suswa. Both centres will be fitted with advanced Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management Systems (SCADA/EMS) and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) tools.
“This initiative demonstrates the Government’s commitment to building a modern and intelligent power system,” said Dr. (Eng.) John Mativo, Managing Director of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).EU Reinforces Support for Regional Energy Integration
The event also highlighted broader international support for regional energy development. EU Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Henriette Geiger, reiterated the European Union’s commitment to cross-border energy connectivity through the Global Gateway strategy, which aims to mobilize up to €300 billion in global infrastructure investments by 2027.
“Together with the NSCC and the recently launched Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector, we are investing in infrastructure that enables cross-border energy trade and expands transmission capacity across East and Southern Africa,” Ambassador Geiger said.Slated for completion by February 6, 2028, the NSCC will strengthen KETRACO’s role as a national Transmission System Operator and better align Kenya’s energy infrastructure with regional integration efforts under the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP).
This landmark energy partnership not only strengthens Kenya’s national grid but also positions the country as a regional leader in sustainable energy transmission.
