Zambia’s Energy Minister Makozo Chikote is expected to use African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town in October to pitch the country’s sweeping energy‑sector overhaul to investors and regional partners.
Chikote’s participation comes as Zambia pursues an integrated strategy spanning electricity generation, renewable energy deployment, hydrocarbons development and downstream fuel infrastructure.
The government is positioning the country as both a regional power hub and an emerging player in refined fuel distribution.
A central feature of Zambia’s pitch will be the recently launched Carbon Feed‑in Premium programme, designed to unlock up to 300 MW of private renewable energy investment.
The initiative aims to diversify the generation mix, reduce emissions and improve grid stability, supported by a Mitigation Outcome Purchase Agreement with Norway to mobilise climate‑linked financing and support decarbonisation of the power sector ahead of 2027.
Alongside its renewable ambitions, Zambia is advancing a major downstream project: construction of a 60,000‑barrel‑per‑day crude oil refinery in Ndola.
The refinery is intended to reduce dependence on imported fuels, strengthen domestic supply security and support industrial demand from mining and transport.
Chikote is expected to frame the dual focus on renewables and hydrocarbons as essential to long‑term energy security and economic growth.
Zambia has committed to adding more than 2,610 MW of new electricity generation capacity by the end of 2026 to address chronic shortages and reduce load shedding.
The expansion prioritises solar, wind and hybrid projects to improve resilience as climate variability continues to affect hydropower output.
Investor confidence has been buoyed by regulatory momentum.
In March, the Energy Regulation Board approved 24 licences, seven construction permits and amendments to existing projects, representing ZMW 1.1 billion (about $58 million) in investment commitments across power generation, renewables and downstream petroleum infrastructure.
The government is also strengthening energy efficiency through a partnership with the European Union, rolling out LED retrofits and infrastructure upgrades in schools and hospitals under the Zambia Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Transformation programme.
JN/APA