President Hichilema Inaugurates Energy Forum for Africa, Calls for Investment in Zambia’s Energy Sector

President Hakainde Hichilema officiated the inaugural Energy Forum for Africa this morning at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.

The conference, themed “Investment Opportunities in the Energy Sector in Zambia and Africa,” comes at a crucial time as the nation grapples with a significant electricity deficit caused by ongoing drought conditions.

In his opening remarks, President Hichilema highlighted the urgent need for investment in the energy sector and outlined the regulatory and legal reforms the Zambian government has implemented to attract both local and international investors.

He emphasized the importance of these reforms in creating a conducive environment for investment and urged stakeholders to seize the opportunities available.

“We have undertaken various regulatory and legal reforms aimed at attracting investment in the energy sector,” President Hichilema said. “This is a critical moment for our country, and I challenge experts across various sectors of our economy to come up with innovative solutions to address the current energy crisis. This challenge can be transformed into a significant opportunity for investment by our citizens.”

The President also appealed to financial institutions, particularly banks, to develop attractive financial packages that would enable Zambians to invest in the energy sector.

He underscored the role of local investment in driving economic growth and improving energy security.

The Energy Forum for Africa is expected to serve as a platform for discussing and exploring investment opportunities within the energy sector, not only in Zambia but across the African continent.

With the ongoing energy crisis, the forum’s discussions are timely and crucial for the future of energy infrastructure in Zambia.

The event brought together industry experts, investors, and policymakers to deliberate on strategies for addressing the energy challenges faced by Zambia and the broader African region.