Zambia is taking a bold step toward renewable energy with a $500 million solar drive that aims to bring clean power to 130,000 households. Spearheaded by ZESCO, the state-owned utility, the initiative is part of a broader Presidential Solar Directive to expand access to sustainable electricity and build energy resilience nationwide.
Announced in Lusaka by ZESCO board member Charles Kaisala—who also chairs energy policy for the ruling UPND—the plan includes large-scale rooftop solar installations and the solarisation of hospitals. The healthcare component is expected to significantly enhance access to energy-intensive medical equipment and services.
The investment will not only accelerate Zambia’s transition to green energy but also reduce the country’s heavy reliance on hydroelectric power, which currently makes up 84% of its electricity supply—a risk highlighted by recent drought-related disruptions.
ZESCO’s strategy includes expanding solar in Luapula Province, exploring coal generation options, and strengthening cross-border energy partnerships, particularly with Mozambique. Improved sourcing has already cut government spending on energy imports by $45 million per month since the drought.
“These initiatives are ambitious, but they reflect our commitment to modernising Zambia’s energy landscape,” Kaisala noted, reaffirming the government’s goal to position Zambia as a key player in regional energy trade, supported by strategic infrastructure like the TAZAMA pipeline.
