Zambia Sets Sights on 10,000MW Power Generation Target

President Hakainde Hichilema has unveiled an ambitious plan to nearly triple Zambia's electricity generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts, positioning the country as a key player in Africa's regional power market.

Speaking at the Continental Energy and Infrastructure Investment Forum in Lusaka, President Hichilema outlined how Zambia will scale up from its current 3,500MW through a diversified energy strategy combining hydroelectric, solar, and clean thermal power sources.

The expansion programme includes three gigawatts from clean coal technologies, alongside significant solar generation growth. A net metering system will allow households and small businesses to sell excess electricity back to the national grid, creating new income opportunities for Zambians whilst supporting energy security.

The President emphasised that this generation expansion forms part of a broader vision to establish a single African power market, enabling cross-border electricity trade across the continent.

This power sector transformation addresses Zambia's recurring energy challenges whilst positioning the country as a regional energy hub. The diversified approach reduces reliance on hydroelectric power alone, offering greater resilience against climate variability.

The announcement signals government commitment to infrastructure investment as a foundation for economic growth and industrialisation across multiple sectors of the Zambian economy.