Zambia Secures $300M ZESCO–Anzana Deal to Power Lobito Corridor
Zambia has taken a major step towards achieving universal access to electricity by 2030, with ZESCO Limited (ZESCO) and Anzana Electric Group (Anzana) finalising the terms of a US$300 million joint venture to extend the national grid along the Lobito Corridor. The initiative aims to connect nearly two million Zambians to reliable power over the next five years.
The agreement, first announced at the Invest Zambia International Conference in Lusaka in July 2025 and witnessed by President Hakainde Hichilema, builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in February this year between Anzana and the Ministry of Energy. It combines blended commercial and concessional capital to finance the rehabilitation and expansion of Zambia’s grid infrastructure.
ZESCO Managing Director Eng. Justin Loongo described the project as transformational. “This is about more than infrastructure, it is about regional integration, jobs, and powering a better future for Zambians along the Lobito economic corridor. We are excited to partner with Anzana, who are employing an innovative and inclusive approach to attract capital and rapidly increase electrification rates in rural Zambia,” he said.
The venture will not only connect households and businesses but also support new distributed generation projects, including run-of-river hydropower, to strengthen supply reliability in rural service areas.
Anzana CEO Brian Kelly emphasised the corridor’s strategic importance. “The strategic Lobito economic corridor approach is a model for future regional trade and development. We are honoured to partner with ZESCO and the Government of Zambia to be the Lobito electrification partner and connect millions of Zambians to the opportunities that reliable electricity can enable. This partnership reflects our commitment to win-win models that enable African countries to lead the next wave of electrification and economic growth,” Mr Kelly said.
As part of the agreement, a pilot project in Zambia’s North-Western Province will begin in 2026. Backed by US$50 million in investment from Anzana and development partners, the pilot is expected to connect 40,000 households and businesses and generate up to 8 megawatts of new power over two years. Lessons from this initiative will inform the wider rollout across the entire Lobito Corridor.
The Lobito Corridor, linking Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is rapidly emerging as a critical trade and development artery for Southern and Central Africa. By improving electricity access along the corridor, the partnership is expected to unlock industrial opportunities, create jobs and enhance trade flows between the mineral-rich region and global markets.
