World Bank-Backed Scheme Slashes Electricity Connection Fees

Zambians will pay just K300 to connect to the national grid from 22 December, down from K4,846, under a new government subsidy programme.

Energy Minister Makozo Chikote announced the dramatic fee reduction at the launch of the Accelerated Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) initiative in Lusaka on Wednesday morning.

The subsidy scheme will open for applications in 2026, targeting 100,000 new household connections in its first year.

Mr Chikote directed the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and power utility ZESCO to ensure the programme receives wide publicity across the country.

"Government is committed to ensuring universal access to electricity by 2030," the minister said.

The ASCENT-Zambia programme has secured $200 million in funding from the World Bank and aims to connect more than 1.6 million Zambians to electricity and clean cooking technologies over the next five years.

World Bank Country Manager Dr Achim Fock said the initiative forms part of a broader regional effort involving the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank and other partners.

The goal is to provide electricity access to 300 million people across sub-Saharan Africa.

REA Acting Chief Executive Officer Alex Mumba praised the government for implementing policy and financing reforms that enabled the programme to move forward.

The fee reduction represents a 94% subsidy on connection costs, significantly lowering the barrier for households seeking to join the electricity grid.