AFPG Forms Alliance to Support Expansion of Geothermal Energy in East Africa

Posted on : Friday , 31st October 2025

The French Association of Geothermal Professionals (Association Francaise des Professionnels de la Geothermie / AFPG) has officially announced the initiation of the FEXTE Kenya–Tanzania–Uganda–France (FEXTE KTUF) Partnership for Geothermal Development. This initiative seeks to encourage sustainable and climate-resilient economic growth by establishing a collaboration among geothermal stakeholders in Kenya, their counterparts in Tanzania and Uganda, as well as members of the French geothermal sector.

 

The initiative is currently being carried out by AFPG, supported by the French Treasury (DGT) and the French Development Agency (AFD).

 

Utilizing the diverse national experiences and the complementary skills of the involved partners, this two-year project intends to confront shared challenges and jointly create roadmaps for geothermal development. The initiative will address both power generation and direct applications such as district heating, industrial processes, and agri-food processing.

 

A significant deliverable of the project will be an extensive benchmark study focused on geothermal development in East Africa. This study will examine public policies, regulatory frameworks, stakeholder mapping, market dynamics, industrial value chains, and financing models. The objective is to evaluate the geothermal maturity of each country and to identify customized strategies that can expedite progress within their specific contexts.

 

As a component of the partnership, an East African delegation is scheduled to be hosted in Paris in January 2026, where they will share their experiences and connect with French companies operating in the geothermal sector. This exchange will serve as a significant highlight of the program, promoting synergies among public and private stakeholders and strengthening collaboration between French and East African partners.

 

This endeavor is fully consistent with AFPG’s mission and the priorities outlined in its GEODEEP cluster, as well as with France’s National Action Plan for Geothermal Energy (PANG). One of the strategic aims of PANG is to bolster the international profile of French expertise in geothermal development — in this instance, by strengthening the relationships between the geothermal ecosystems of France and East Africa.

 

"This initiative combines the expertise of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania with French knowledge, making technical cooperation a concrete catalyst for the energy transition. AFD takes pride in endorsing this peer-learning approach that enhances resilience and energy independence in East Africa," stated Sandra Kassab, AFD Director for Africa.

 

“East Africa holds unparalleled geothermal potential. With over fifty years of experience in heat and power generation, the French geothermal industry is proud to collaborate with peers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda to promote and develop geothermal solutions. Sharing knowledge and lessons learned will help accelerate project development and improve risk management,” added Timothee Dupaigne, International Executive Delegate at GEODEEP.