Zambia pushes renewable energy drive to sustainably sort power shortages straining households, businesses

March 25, 2026 – Lusaka

Zambia’s urgent search for sustainable and reliable energy solutions took centre stage as the inaugural Zambia Annual Renewable Energy Conference (ZARECON) opened in Lusaka, bringing together policymakers, investors and innovators amid persistent electricity challenges affecting households, industry and small businesses.

Held under the theme “Powering Zambia’s Future: Pioneering Policy, Innovation, and Partnerships for Energy Security – From Policy to Action,” the conference comes at a time when the country continues to grapple with energy deficits driven largely by climate-induced pressure on hydropower generation — the backbone of Zambia’s electricity supply.

Convened by the Zambia Renewable Energy Association, the gathering aims to accelerate the country’s transition to clean energy by strengthening collaboration across sectors.

Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary Ephraim Munshifwa said government policy is increasingly geared toward diversifying energy sources and opening the sector to private investment through frameworks such as the open access regime.

“Government policy is clear on energy growth, and the open access plan enabling private sector participation is already bearing fruit,” Professor Munshifwa said.

Prof. Munshifwa called for credible investors to partner in delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable energy infrastructure in the face of Zambia’s energy constraints which have had wide-reaching impacts.

Urban households have faced prolonged load shedding, disrupting daily life and increasing dependence on costly alternatives such as diesel generators and solar backups.

In rural areas, limited grid connectivity continues to restrict access to electricity, affecting education, healthcare and local enterprise development.

For businesses, particularly in manufacturing and mining – key drivers of the economy – erratic power supply has translated into higher production costs, reduced output and, in some cases, job losses.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which often lack the capital to invest in alternative energy, remain especially vulnerable.

ZARENA Executive Director Chilala Kakoma Bowa outlined four strategic pillars guiding the conference: policy leadership and governance, investment and market confidence, innovation and research, and inclusion through youth and gender participation.

“These pillars reinforce a simple but critical message: the renewable energy transition will not be driven by ideas alone, but by partnerships, investment decisions, technical excellence and collective commitment to implementation,” Dr. Bowa said.

Dr. Bowa stressed that no single institution can deliver Zambia’s energy transition, noting the need for coordinated efforts across government, academia, industry and financiers.

ZARENA Chairman Joseph Mutale said Zambia must move beyond dialogue to tangible outcomes as it navigates the energy transition alongside other countries in the region.

“Renewable energy technologies — from solar mini-grids to bioenergy and emerging innovations – are no longer optional.

They are central to achieving reliable, affordable and sustainable access,” he said.

Experts at the conference noted that decentralised solutions such as solar mini-grids could be critical in bridging the rural electrification gap, while large-scale solar projects may help stabilise supply to urban and industrial consumers.

Meanwhile, Global Renewable Centre Zambia Coordinator Damien Frame said the centre is working to strengthen international collaboration, linking Zambia with partners in Scotland, Malawi and Rwanda to enhance knowledge exchange and investment opportunities.

The initiative, funded by the Scottish government, is focused on building technical capacity and identifying priority areas for renewable energy development.

From the academic front, University of Zambia Vice Chancellor Mundia Muya emphasised the importance of human capital in supporting the energy transition.

Speaking through UNZA Director of Innovation Mususu Kaonda, Professor Muya said Zambia’s evolving energy landscape requires not just infrastructure, but a skilled workforce, strong research capacity and evidence-based policymaking.

As the two-day conference continues, stakeholders are expected to outline actionable commitments aimed at expanding renewable energy deployment, improving energy access and reducing Zambia’s dependence on hydropower.

Dr Bowa underscored that the real test will come after the conference ends.
“Work does not end when the conference closes. What will matter is how commitments, partnerships and ideas are translated into practical initiatives that strengthen Zambia’s renewable energy systems,” he said.

With energy demand rising and climate risks intensifying, Zambia’s push toward renewables is increasingly seen not just as an environmental priority, but as an economic necessity for securing growth across all sectors.