ENGIE Energy Access Champions Clean Energy Revolution in Zambia

ENGIE Energy Access has reaffirmed its leadership in Africa’s clean energy transition by hosting a landmark dinner in Lusaka on Wednesday, 10 September, bringing together stakeholders from across government, business and development sectors to accelerate energy access.

The event underscored ENGIE’s alignment with Mission 300—an ambitious drive to connect 300 million Africans to clean, affordable and reliable electricity by 2030. This vision is consistent with ENGIE’s own target of impacting 30 million lives within the same timeframe.

The Lusaka dinner was followed by a walk-through event in Petauke, Eastern Province, on Thursday, 11 September, where stakeholders observed the company’s solar mini grid operations in action. With more than 17 years of experience across nine Sub-Saharan African markets, ENGIE Energy Access provides tailored off-grid solutions, including solar home systems, productive-use technologies and mini grids ranging from 20kW to 600kW.

To date, the company has reached over 16 million people globally with reliable power, supported by a network of more than 10,000 sales agents and 1,600 employees. Notably, 52 per cent of its managers are women, reflecting ENGIE’s strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.

In Zambia, where operations began in 2017, ENGIE has transformed the lives of more than 2.5 million people through solar home systems and currently runs 30 solar mini grids of between 50kW and 100kW in the Eastern Province. The company aims to scale this number to 71 by 2027. Since 2021, it has installed more than 45 megawatts of clean energy in the country, avoiding 100,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

Partnerships were a central theme at the Lusaka dinner. Initiatives such as the European Union’s IAEREP project and the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation’s BGFA programme were recognised for their role in empowering rural households, strengthening livelihoods and creating new income opportunities.

Key Achievements

• Global Impact: Over 16 million people reached across nine markets, with 45MW of clean energy installed.
• Zambia Milestone: 2.5 million lives impacted, 30 operational mini grids, and a sales network of 61 outlets and 1,000 agents.
• Environmental Gains: 100,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions reduced since 2021.
• Diversity Drive: Women account for 52 per cent of management positions.
• Growth Path: 71 mini grids expected in Zambia by 2027.

 The expansion of off-grid energy in Zambia faces hurdles including high upfront costs, limited local financing options with elevated interest rates, and logistical difficulties linked to a widely dispersed rural population. However, abundant renewable resources, combined with innovative financing models and supportive partnerships, offer opportunities for sustainable growth. Regulatory reforms, such as the deregulation of mini grids up to 5MW, are also seen as encouraging, though stakeholders stress the need for frameworks that balance flexibility with consumer protection.

Quotable Highlights

• “Through initiatives like Mission 300 and partners such as the Rockefeller Foundation and SE4All, we can ensure energy access is a universal right that unlocks Africa’s full potential.” – ENGIE Energy Access representative, Lusaka Dinner.
• “Our 52 per cent female leadership reflects our belief that diversity drives innovation in the energy sector.” – ENGIE Energy Access Country Director, Helen Zulu.

ENGIE Energy Access continues to position itself as a front-runner in Africa’s off-grid energy market, aligning its mission with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7 on affordable and clean energy, while supporting continental initiatives to end energy poverty and build resilient communities.