Zambia Secures 480 Hectares for Solar Development Across 116 Districts

Zambia has taken a decisive step toward energy diversification, with the government allocating 480 hectares of land across 116 districts for solar power development under the Presidential Constituency Energy Initiative.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gift Sialubalo confirmed the allocation during a meeting with potential investors from the United Arab Emirates, signalling Zambia's intent to attract foreign direct investment into its growing green energy sector.

The decentralised approach is designed to reduce the country's longstanding dependence on hydropower, a source increasingly vulnerable to climate variability, while bringing power generation closer to communities and stimulating regional economic activity.

International interest is already building. UAE-based SGC Investment Limited has expressed interest in developing 500 megawatts of solar capacity in Zambia, with additional opportunities identified in mining and infrastructure, reflecting growing confidence in the country's investment climate.

The initiative forms part of Zambia's broader ambition to expand total power generation capacity toward 10,000 MW. By securing dedicated land and actively courting international expertise and capital, the government is leveraging one of its most abundant natural resources to build a more resilient national energy network.

With solar projects set to span more than a hundred districts, the programme represents one of the most geographically ambitious renewable energy undertakings on the continent, positioning Zambia as a serious player in Africa's clean energy transition.