ENERGY FORUM FOR AFRICA CONFERENCE OPENS: ZESCO READY TO COLLABORATE WITH PRIVATE PLAYERS
Zambia is taking bold strides towards a diversified energy future, with solar energy at the forefront of its efforts to move beyond hydroelectricity.
This was the conversation at the three-day Energy Forum for Africa Conference themed: Investment Opportunities in the Energy Sector in Zambia and Africa which officially opened today, 10 September 2025 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
“This forum brings together vision, policy and execution-the ingredients that convert ambition into megawatts, and megawatts into inclusive growth,” says Eng. Justin Loongo, Managing Director at ZESCO.
“At ZESCO, we are evolving from a traditional utility to a market enabler-a platform that connects capital, projects and customers. We are opening the grid, standardizing interconnection, and enabling multiple market participants to succeed alongside us,” he added.
Public and Private sector driven renewable energy projects are emerging everyday as a response to the impact of the drought induced hydroelectricity generation deficit facing the country. And ZESCO is ready to trade.
“Three doorways are deliberately open, and these are as follows: Open access to the transmission network for Independent Power Producers and power traders; Net metering for commercial, industrial, and retail consumers and Mini-grids to accelerate rural electrification-with ZESCO positioned as a potential anchor off-taker to de-risk demand. These are not pilots, they are practical tools designed with investors and lenders in mind,” says Eng. Loongo.
Republican President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing the Universal Access to Electricity Agenda. "Electricity is the engine of our economic growth," he said. "We need to work hard, work faster, and mobilize resources quicker than ever before."
The President attributed the current electricity deficit to the 2024 drought and the growing economy.
“The gap we are witnessing in electricity may have been like that because of the drought which we have to address. However, the gap is growing now because the economy is growing which means demand is growing.”
With ZESCO's strategic priorities focusing on infrastructure upgrades, renewable energy expansion, and regional connectivity, the stage is set for significant progress in Zambia's energy sector.
The three-day Energy Forum for Africa Conference brings together industry leaders to discuss investment opportunities in the energy sector.