by ARNOLD MULENGA
LUSAKA – ZAMBIA is positioning itself as an energy powerhouse in Africa.
This marks a turnaround from being a country that has in recent years been facing power challenges.
Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) is leading the charge, through a number of regional projects.
“These projects are not just about expanding infrastructure,” said Hilner Mulapani, Project Manager for the Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector project.
“They’re about positioning Zambia as the energy heartbeat of the region, building resilience, attracting foreign direct investment, and powering a connected, industrialized Africa.”
The official was presenting at the just-concluded Invest Zambia International Conference (IZIC).
“ZESCO is not just powering homes. We are powering trade, Powering growth, and Powering Africa.”
Among ZESCO’s power infrastructure projects currently underway include the Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector Project.
It will connect Zambia to the Eastern Africa Power Pool and link the Southern African Power Pool with countries as far as Libya through Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt.
The Zambia–Mozambique and Zambia–Malawi Interconnectors both originate from Chipata in the Eastern province.
The Mozambique line is being implemented under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and will unlock new energy trade channels.
The Malawi interconnector will integrate Zambia’s grid with Malawi’s, improving energy security and cross-border power exchange.
There is the cross-border Solwezi–Kolwezi project designed to increase power flow volumes between Zambia and the DRC, specifically serving high-demand mining corridors and industrial operations.
The Zambia–Angola Interconnector MoU has been signed to kickstart this line, which will connect Zambia to Angola’s grid.
The Pensulo–Mansa and Lusaka West–Kabwe–Kasama–Mporokoso Lines internal transmission upgrades will support the evacuation of power from hydro sources in Luapula Province, while also enabling integration of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Northern Zambia — such as the upcoming Lufubu Hydro Project.
The Kafue West–Muzuma and Muzuma–Nambala lines are crucial for tapping into the coal-based generation potential from Maamba, increasing the resilience and diversification of Zambia’s energy mix.
For renewable energy projects, ZESCO is scaling up its renewable footprints with the 100MW solar plant in Chisamba and 50MW solar project in Mansa.
– CAJ News
