President Hichilema Urges Accelerated Energy Investment to Drive Economic Growth
President Hakainde Hichilema has called for urgent and expanded investment in Zambia’s energy sector, describing it as a critical pillar of the country’s economic transformation.
Speaking at the 4th Public–Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) in Lusaka today, the President underscored the need for Zambia to increase its power generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts to support industrial expansion and attract long-term private capital.
He emphasised that ongoing reforms particularly the implementation of the Electricity Open Access Policy have strengthened the sector by allowing Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Private Power Traders (PPTs) to participate more competitively. The policy has broadened supply options and enabled the private sector to supplement ZESCO during periods of power stress, helping to avert deeper economic disruptions.
President Hichilema noted that wider economic reforms have created a more predictable investment climate and improved revenue collection from mining, with increased earnings supporting essential services such as free education.
He stressed that every investment, including small-scale power projects of around 2MW, contributes to national energy security and helps stabilise the grid.
The President expressed concern over delays in the Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector, urging its swift completion to unlock regional electricity trade between Zambia and East Africa.
He further announced ongoing engagements with Zimbabwe to expand cross-border power transfer capacity, reinforcing regional cooperation aimed at improving reliability and boosting future power exports, particularly to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
President Hichilema also highlighted the need to streamline licensing processes to accelerate energy investments and encouraged greater digitalisation across the sector to reduce human interference and curb corruption.
Public–Private Dialogue Forum Director General Andrew Chipwende reaffirmed that energy remains a national priority and urged private stakeholders to play an active role in shaping reforms and investment initiatives.
The manufacturing sector, represented at the forum, praised Government for its consistent policy environment, noting that improvements in the energy sector helped manufacturing account for 9.3 percent of GDP in 2024, the highest since 1990.
They also welcomed the President’s announcement that Private Sector Day will be gazetted, describing it as a key step in strengthening collaboration and supporting sustained industrial growth powered by reliable electricity.
