Uganda Transmission Project Planned with POWERGRID and Africa50 Partnership

In a significant move to expand its international footprint, India’s state-owned Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) has announced a major strategic alliance to develop a power transmission project in Uganda. The decision, finalized during a board meeting on March 9, 2026, marks a key step in strengthening energy infrastructure in East Africa.

A Strategic Alliance Focused on the Uganda transmission project

The POWERGRID board has approved entering into a strategic partnership with Africa50, the pan-African infrastructure investment platform, and the Uganda Development Bank (UDB). A framework agreement has been signed by the three entities to collaborate on the development of a transmission project in Uganda.

This venture will be structured under the Independent Power Transmission (IPT) model, a framework designed to attract private investment and expertise into the development of public infrastructure. While specific details regarding the project’s scope, cost, and timeline have not yet been released, the collaboration brings together POWERGRID’s extensive technical expertise, Africa50’s investment and development capabilities, and UDB’s local financial and developmental knowledge.

Part of a Broader Strategic Vision Including the Uganda transmission project

The approval for the Uganda project was one of several key initiatives greenlit during POWERGRID’s recent board meeting. The company also announced plans for:
* Fundraising: Securing up to ₹5,000 crore through unsecured term loans to finance its capital expenditure.
* Domestic Investment: An investment of ₹233.96 crore for a Centralized Security Operations Center to enhance the security of its substations.
* Divestment: An in-principle approval to divest its full stake in its subsidiary, the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL).

This series of decisions highlights POWERGRID’s multi-pronged strategy of strengthening its domestic operations while actively seeking growth opportunities in international markets.

Building on International Experience with the Uganda transmission project

This alliance is not POWERGRID’s first foray into the African continent. The company has previously partnered with Africa50 on a similar transmission project in Kenya, demonstrating a continued commitment to the region. The new project in Uganda aligns with the country’s ongoing efforts to upgrade and expand its power grid to improve electricity evacuation from generation sources and increase energy access for its citizens.

The partnership represents a promising development for Uganda’s energy sector and a significant milestone in South-South cooperation, leveraging Indian expertise to foster sustainable infrastructure development in Africa.