Livingstone, Zambia – Energy Minister Makozo Chikote has issued a clarion call for Africa to urgently strengthen its hydropower systems and confront the escalating impacts of climate change with unity, innovation, and decisive action.
He warned that the continent’s energy future depends on bold regional cooperation and resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding increasingly severe climatic shocks.
His remarks were delivered on his behalf by the Director of Energy, Mr. Mafayo Ziba, during the official opening of the 35th African Hydro Symposium at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone. The three-day gathering has brought together energy experts, policymakers, and industry leaders from across Africa and China under the theme “Climate Change and Hydropower Resilience.”
Mr. Chikote noted that the theme could not be more relevant, as droughts, floods, and unpredictable river flows continue to disrupt hydropower generation across the region. He said the symposium provides a critical platform for countries to discuss practical solutions, share knowledge, and strengthen collaboration to safeguard hydropower systems.
Reaffirming Zambia’s commitment to climate action, Mr. Chikote highlighted the Eighth National Development Plan, which prioritises climate-resilient water management, diversification of the energy mix, and strengthened institutional frameworks for adaptation and mitigation. These commitments, he said, align perfectly with the objectives of the symposium.
He emphasised that hydropower remains central to Africa’s clean-energy transition, contributing not only electricity but also supporting irrigation, fisheries, eco-tourism, and flood control.
Sustaining these economic and social benefits, he added, requires continued investment in modernising existing infrastructure, developing new hydropower sites, and building human capital.
Mr. Chikote pointed to the Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre as a vital institution for regional capacity building, offering technical training that supports hydropower development and knowledge exchange across Africa.
As the symposium began its deliberations, Mr. Chikote encouraged participants to explore integrated water and energy planning, share innovative technologies, and propose concrete actions for regional cooperation in climate-smart hydropower infrastructure.