POWER SHIFT BEGINS! ZAMBIA-TANZANIA INTERCONNECTOR LAUNCHED
Unlocking New Frontiers for Electricity Trade Across East and Southern Africa, and Beyond.
The Zambian government’s efforts to expand regional interconnection and boost electricity trade for security of supply reached a key milestone following the launch of the implementation of the grant financing amounting to 292 Million United States Dollars for the Zambian portion of the Zambia – Tanzania Interconnector.
Known as the Zambia –Tanzania –Kenya interconnector project, once completed is expected to enhance electricity trade between the Southern Africa Power Pool and the East Africa Power Pool thereby creating a large electricity market, stimulating new investments in electricity generation, transmission, distribution and rural electrification.
To celebrate this milestone, the Zambian Government in collaboration with the World Bank, European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom, the European Union, COMESA, the Government of the Republic of Kenya and the Government of the Republic of Tanzania on Friday, 11 April 2025 unveiled the implementation of the grant financing Zambia –Tanzania Interconnector Project at the Mulungushi International Conference centre.
Being the strategic and major financier of ZTIP, the World Bank Country
Manager Ackim Fock said:
“The Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector truly represents a transformative step in
strengthening Zambia’s power sector but also that of Africa more generally.
The transmission line will enhance reliability and climate resilience of the
power system.”
Having played a crucial role in the financing of feasibility studies, the
environmental and social impact assessment, resettlement action plan ,
conceptual design for the project from Tanzania to Zambia and Zambia to
Tanzania, COMESA Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Kadah said:
“Energy Security has become a top priority both for Africa and the World, and
the fear of future resource shortages combined with a greater awareness of
climate change and a need to diversify energy sources have brought the issue
of power trade to the forefront. The full energy interconnectivity and
increased power production using renewable energy have been identified as
high priority action areas in the COMESA region.”
An all-weather partner of Africa, EU Special Advisor, Mr Henrik Hololei
said:
“The European Union with an investment grant of 30 Million Euros was very
committed to support this relevant power line connecting Southern and
Eastern Africa power pools to boost growth, foster regional energy security
while also strengthening the connections and moving regions.
“The success of the Zambia-Tanzania interconnector is not just about electricity flowing between the nations. It is also about the flow of ideas, investments, opportunities, partnerships that arise when we come together with shared priorities.”
Being the overseer and implementing Ministry of the project, Energy Minister
Makozo Chikote said:
“The Zambia-Tanzania interconnector is the beginning of many interconnectors
that we are looking at implementing. The projects to be considered to
connect our neighbouring countries are Mozambique interconnector, Malawi,
Angola and Zimbabwe.
This is to increase and assure regional security. Each of these projects will
further improve energy access and economic opportunities, positioning Zambia
as a leader in the regional energy Market."
Meanwhile the Government of the Republic of Tanzania, being the supplier of
electricity to both Zambia and Kenya said:
“The Launch of the implementation of the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector
project on the Zambian side is as a result of the initiative and commitment
of the Heads of states of Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya to interconnect the power
national grid aiming at sharing the limited energy resources in Eastern and
Southern countries.”
Representing the country’s Energy Minister, Innocent Luoga added:
“The 400kV 4-kilometre double circuit from Tunduma to Nakonde which is very
crucial very important. On 26 May 2026 Tanzania will mark the commissioning
of the Tanzania and Zambia transmission interconnector project. We will be
ready to start selling power to Zambia by next year.”
Being the implementing National Power Utility, ZESCO Limited Chief Operating
Officer Engineer Peter Chamfya gave an insight into the financing cycle of the
project:
“From 2022, the project was prepared, appraised, and negotiated for funding
based on recommendations from feasibility studies. The World Bank’s Project
Appraisal Document (PAD) guidelines were issued, and on January 29, 2025, a
$262 million grant agreement was signed.
The International Development Association (IDA) contributed $240 million,
with an additional $17 million from the UK government, channelled through
the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.”
And speaking on behalf the Ministry of Finance, Commerce, Trade and Industry
Minister, Chipoka Mulenga thanked all the stakeholders for accelerating the
implementation of the project.
“President Hakainde Hichilema has been among those leaders in Africa who are
calling for collaboration within the African region, not neglecting the
partnerships from our predictable and dependable partners like the world
bank, the EU, the UK and many others. On behalf of the president ours to
bring this message of sincere appreciation to for responding favourably in
making sure we support each other in overcoming the energy deficiency that
we currently going through.”