The Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) has commenced a weeklong study tour at the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) of Tanzania, aimed at strengthening regulatory capacity and improving electricity services for consumers.

The official opening ceremony took place today at EWURA’s headquarters in Dodoma, where both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to fostering regional cooperation in the energy sector.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. James Andilile, Director General of EWURA, welcomed the Liberian delegation and underscored the importance of cross-country partnerships in building effective regulatory frameworks.

“EWURA stands ready to share our technical and operational expertise to ensure that electricity utilities deliver greater benefits to consumers. We believe this exchange will be mutually beneficial for both Tanzania and Liberia,” Dr. Andilile said.

EWURA, established in 2001, has built a strong reputation in regulating Tanzania’s electricity, water, and petroleum sectors, serving as a model for emerging regulatory agencies in the region.

For his part, LERC Chairman, Cllr. Claude J. Katta, highlighted that as a relatively new regulator, LERC is eager to learn from Tanzania’s two decades of experience in utility oversight.

“As a young regulatory body, we recognize the importance of benchmarking and knowledge-sharing. EWURA’s track record in ensuring compliance, protecting consumers, and fostering sector growth is an experience we want to adapt to the Liberian context,” Chairman Katta stated.

He stressed that the tour is expected to provide insights into key regulatory practices such as tariff-setting, consumer protection, dispute resolution, licensing, and enforcement mechanisms, areas critical to Liberia’s electricity sector reform.

The weeklong engagement will include interactive sessions, field visits to electricity utilities, and discussions on regional power integration. Both institutions also committed to exploring avenues for long-term collaboration, including staff exchanges and joint capacity-building programs.

The study tour forms part of LERC’s broader strategy to position itself as an independent and effective regulator capable of promoting reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity services across Liberia.

Written By: Jerry Laynumah Siakor

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