African School of Regulation

What African School of Regulation does

The African School of Regulation (ASR) is a non-profit educational institution established in January 2022 to build capacity in energy regulation and policy across Africa. Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, since September 2024 (relocated from its initial Florence, Italy base at the European University Institute), ASR was created through a multi-party Knowledge Partnership Agreement and is endorsed by African Union Ministers via the Zanzibar Declaration as a pan-African centre of excellence. The organisation is governed by a Managing Board, Advisory Committee, Academic Committee, and Funders Committee, and is staffed by approximately 10 people.

ASR's core offering is a portfolio of six instructor-led training programmes: a 10-week online plus one-week residential Power Sector Regulation in Africa course; a 5-day executive programme on Wholesale Electricity Markets (delivered in Cotonou, Benin, and including a Stanford-collaborated live electricity market simulation); a 5-day Electricity Tariff Design executive programme (Accra); and three 4-week online courses on Energy Efficiency Regulation, Clean Cooking Adoption, and the Integrated Framework for Electrification (IFE). Delivery combines asynchronous modules on the Brightspace LMS with live Zoom sessions, discussion forums, self-assessment tests, and residential weeks at partner institutions such as GIMPA. ASR also publishes position papers and research reports (e.g., the IFE, Rate Design framework, Transmission Pricing Guidelines), runs a webinar and conference programme, and produces the 'A Sustainable Energy Future for Africa' podcast on SoundCloud.

The business model is a mix of fee-based training and grant/funder support. Course fees range from $150 for 4-week online courses to $1,850 for 5-day executive programmes, with discounts for alumni, students, groups, and early registration, plus 10 scholarships per course. Revenue is supplemented by contributions from founding parties and funders including Enel Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, GEAPP, UNECA, with additional backing from AfDB, World Bank-ESMAP, AFD, and the EU. ASR sells primarily to national and regional energy regulatory authorities, energy ministries and agencies, power utilities, development finance institutions, researchers, and — via the AWER-LP — early- to mid-career African energy professionals, particularly women.

Name

African School of Regulation

Legal name

African School of Regulation

Website

https://africanschoolregulation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The African School of Regulation is a non-profit educational institution that delivers training, executive programmes, and applied research in energy regulation and policy for African regulators, ministries, utilities, and researchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Accra

HQ country

Ghana

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Courses: ASR generates revenue through fees from executive programs, online courses, and residential training programs in energy regulation. Course fees range from $150-$1,850 depending on program duration and format. Discounts available for alumni, groups, early registration, and students.
2. Executive Education Programs: 5-day executive programs such as Wholesale Electricity Markets and Electricity Tariff Design courses with fees of $1,850 standard and $1,500 for alumni.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

African School of Regulation (ASR) is a pan-African centre of excellence that delivers paid professional training programs, applied research, and convening events to build capacity in energy regulation and policy. Its portfolio includes six instructor-led training courses — Power Sector Regulation in Africa, Wholesale Electricity Markets, Electricity Tariff Design, Energy Efficiency Regulation, Clean Cooking Adoption, and the Integrated Framework for Electrification — delivered as online, residential, and hybrid programs. It complements training with a podcast series, a knowledge base of position papers and guidelines, and webinars/conferences co-hosted with African and international partners.

Product overview

The African School of Regulation (ASR) is an educational institution focused on building capacity in energy regulation and policy across Africa. Its portfolio consists of multiple instructor-led training programmes and knowledge products. Core training offerings include six named courses: the Power Sector Regulation in Africa course (10-week online + 1-week residential), the Wholesale Electricity Markets in African Countries programme (5-day executive), the Electricity Tariff Design programme (5-day executive), the Energy Efficiency Regulation course (4-week online), the Clean Cooking Adoption course (4-week online), and the Integrated Framework for Electrification course (4-week online). These are supplemented by a podcast series ('A Sustainable Energy Future for Africa'), a knowledge base of position papers and guidelines, and a programme of conferences and webinars. The delivery model combines online learning via Brightspace LMS with in-person residential weeks, live webinars via Zoom, and podcast distribution via SoundCloud.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• A Sustainable Energy Future for Africa Podcast: A podcast series by ASR featuring energy experts discussing current topics of interest for Africa's energy sector. Season 1 focuses on energy access.

Products and services

• Wholesale Electricity Markets in African Countries 5-day executive programme exploring practical approaches to wholesale electricity market design and regulation from national, regional and continental perspectives. The course covers market architecture, trading arrangements, transmission regulation, regional power pools, and includes a live electricity market simulation developed with Stanford University enabling participants to assume roles of market operators, regulators, utilities, and electricity traders. Targeted at energy regulators, utility professionals, and policymakers across Africa.
• Electricity Tariff Design: Principles, Methodologies & Regulatory Practice 5-day executive programme held in Accra, Ghana, covering electricity tariff design principles, methodologies, and regulatory practice. Equips participants with analytical tools to design fair, efficient, and sustainable electricity tariffs supporting investment, consumer protection, and reliable electricity services for Africa's evolving power sector. Delivered in English and French.
• Power Sector Regulation in Africa Comprehensive 10-12 week online course with an optional one-week in-person residential component held at GIMPA, Accra, providing a sound understanding of the fundamentals of power sector regulation in African contexts. Participants can pursue the course at three levels: Ugunduzi (Discovery), Uchunguzi (Exploration), and Ustadi (Proficiency). Targeted at early and mid-career African energy professionals.
• Energy Efficiency Regulation 4-week online course delivered via Brightspace LMS, exploring practical approaches to designing and implementing energy efficiency policies and regulations in Africa. The course covers Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), compliance mechanisms, economic modelling, and national energy information systems, and is targeted at energy efficiency programme staff, regulators, and policymakers.
• New Approaches to Accelerate the Universal Adoption of Clean Cooking 4-week online course exploring innovative, real-world approaches to accelerating clean cooking adoption in Africa. The course covers regulatory and financial models, geospatial planning tools, and case studies to help participants design effective clean cooking policies, financing strategies, and implementation models. Targeted at clean cooking technology providers, investors, and implementation organizations.
• Integrated Framework for Electrification (IFE) Course 4-week online course introducing the Integrated Framework for Electrification (IFE), a practical model combining policy, finance, and technology to expand energy access across sub-Saharan Africa. Grounded in Agenda 2063, the course explores how sound regulation and sustainable business models can drive universal electricity access. Targeted at policymakers, regulators, and energy access practitioners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 participants from 62 countries engaged in ASR conferences and training programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, major and core.

• Energy for Growth HubsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Co-hosted webinar on Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in the context of utility regulation with ASR, AFUR, and AfDB.
• Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Co-organizes webinar series with ASR and AFUR on building credible and investment-ready regulatory frameworks in Africa's energy sector.
• Institute of Research in Technology (IIT-Comillas University)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Co-organizes webinar and course on accelerating universal adoption of clean cooking. Contributes academic expertise from Comillas University.
• GET.transformmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Partners with ASR on African Women in Energy Regulation Leadership Programme (AWER-LP). Provides 20 scholarships for Power Sector Regulation course 2026 cohort.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Co-hosting three-day international online conference on regulatory frameworks for solar energy deployment and integration in African power sectors.
• African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Signed Hosting Agreement with EUI in December 2023 to establish ASR as independent entity. ASR moved to ACBF offices in Accra, Ghana on September 1, 2024. ACBF nominates a Managing Board member.
• European University Institute (EUI) - Florence School of Regulation (FSR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022FSR was designated by the Parties to provide logistical support and coordination during ASR's initial creation phase. FSR continues as a key academic partner providing training methodology and curriculum development expertise.
• University of Cape Town (UCT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022UCT hosts the Power Futures Lab, a centre of expertise dedicated to building capacity in energy sector investment, reform and regulation. UCT is represented on the ASR Academic Committee.
• Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (PAUWES)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022PAUWES is a centre of excellence at the University of Tlemcen in Algeria, called into existence by the African Union Commission. Contributes academic expertise to ASR's training programs.
• Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Independent non-profit dedicated to transforming global energy use to create a clean, prosperous, secure low-carbon future. Contributed to ASR's creation and continues as a knowledge partner.
• Energy Nexus Network (TENN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Provides leadership, best practices, research and advisory support on synergies between energy and crucial energy-enabling SDGs. Founding partner of ASR.
• UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022UN regional commission promoting economic and social development of African member states. Joined founding partnership to provide continental perspective and institutional support.
• African Development Bank (AfDB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported ASR creation and endorsed the initiative. AfDB representative (Wale Shonibare) serves on Advisory Committee. Co-organizes webinars with ASR on topics like PPAs.
• African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinental organization of utility regulators. Advisory Committee member (Honoré Demenou Tapamo). Active co-organizer of webinars and events including AFUR Annual Conference.
• Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization working to achieve universal energy access. Advisory Committee member (Anita Otubu). Co-developed transmission pricing guidelines with ASR. Conference co-host.
• Global Association for Off-grid Solar Energy Industry (GOGLA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association for off-grid solar. Supported ASR's minigrid conference and contributed instructors to Power Sector Regulation course. Contributes to industry perspective in training.
• African Union Commission (AUC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrican Union's energy division (represented by Sara Elhag) serves on Advisory Committee. AUC formally welcomed ASR establishment in Zanzibar Declaration.
• World Bank - ESMAPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy Sector Management Assistance Program supported ASR creation. Co-organized high-level workshop on private investment in electricity transmission.
• Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsed ASR creation. Advisory Committee member (Ene Sandra Macharm) represents AEEP and GET.transform.
• Sustainable Energy AfricamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed position paper on analytical framework for rate design in presence of distributed generation. Co-hosting webinar on DER regulation with ASR.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): IRENA runs renewable energy capacity-building programmes worldwide, including in Africa, and overlaps with ASR on renewable integration training. It is a larger, broader incumbent with a global mandate rather than ASR's regulation-specific African focus.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): ISA is an ASR co-host for the international online conference on regulatory frameworks for solar energy deployment in African power sectors. It is a broader incumbent with a global solar mandate that intersects with ASR's regulation training portfolio.
• World Bank ESMAP: ESMAP is the World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program, an ASR creation supporter that co-organises workshops on transmission investment. It is a much larger incumbent running global energy training and advisory programmes that compete for the same donor capacity-building budgets.

Others

• Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI): RMI is one of ASR's founding knowledge partners and a non-profit energy transition consultancy. While not a direct training competitor, RMI shapes the same donor and policy ecosystem and contributes to ASR's curriculum through its clean energy practice.
• African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF): ACBF hosts ASR at its Accra headquarters under the December 2023 Hosting Agreement and nominates a Managing Board member. As a pan-African capacity-building institution, it is adjacent rather than competitive, but operates overlapping institutional capacity-building mandates across the continent.

Direct peers

• Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL): SEforALL is an ASR Advisory Committee partner that co-develops transmission pricing guidelines and shares the universal energy access mission. It overlaps directly as a knowledge and capacity-building organisation targeting African energy policymakers and regulators.
• GET.transform: GET.transform is an ASR partner that sponsors the African Women in Energy Regulation Leadership Programme and provides 20 scholarships for the 2026 Power Sector Regulation cohort. It is a direct peer running capacity-building programmes for African power sector regulators and utilities.
• Florence School of Regulation (FSR): FSR is the European University Institute's energy regulation training centre that incubated ASR and continues as a core academic partner offering curriculum methodology. It is the most direct peer — same regulatory training focus, same Pérez-Arriaga intellectual lineage — but operates at European rather than African scope.
• Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (PAUWES): PAUWES is an African Union-established centre of excellence at the University of Tlemcen, Algeria, and an ASR founding partner that contributes academic expertise. It is a direct peer as an African academic institution training energy professionals with continental reach.
• African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR): AFUR is the continental association of African utility regulators and an ASR Advisory Committee member that co-organises webinars and the AFUR Annual Conference. It is the natural institutional counterpart to ASR's training mission and shares the same target customer base of national energy regulators.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AsrEnergy
• YouTubesoundcloud.com/asregulation-podcast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/african-school-of-regulation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about African School of Regulation