Livingstone — Southern Province Minister Credo Nanjuwa has urged stakeholders from Zambia and Zimbabwe to accelerate energy sector investments and financing to address ongoing power deficits affecting households and industries in both countries.
Speaking on behalf of Energy Minister Makozo Chikote at the 2025 Zimbabwe–Zambia Energy Projects Summit in Livingstone, Mr. Nanjuwa stressed that the gathering must not become “a talk show,” but a platform that delivers tangible and actionable energy solutions.
He noted that the summit has evolved into Southern Africa’s premier meeting point for independent power producers, financiers, utilities, infrastructure investors, and contractors. “This is where bankable projects are shaped, deals are initiated, and partnerships forged,” he said, underscoring the importance of moving projects swiftly from concept to implementation.
Mr. Nanjuwa highlighted that Zambia is implementing far-reaching reforms to modernise the energy sector and attract private capital. He revealed that more than 7,000 megawatts (MW) of power purchase agreements with independent power producers are already in place.
He added that the adoption of a multi-year tariff adjustment framework and an open access market policy has strengthened investor confidence. In 2025 alone, the Energy Regulation Board approved 29 licence applications and 12 construction permits across the electricity, petroleum, and renewable energy sub-sectors, translating into K6 billion in projected investments.
“This steady growth demonstrates Zambia’s favourable regulatory environment and its commitment to regional collaboration,” Mr. Nanjuwa said.
The minister encouraged stakeholders to prioritise projects that enhance energy security, expand power generation, strengthen transmission interconnectors, and adopt innovative financing models.
Mr. Nanjuwa commended the summit organisers, EnergyNet, and sponsoring partners for positioning Zambia and Zimbabwe at the centre of Africa’s energy investment landscape.
He officially opened the summit with a call for catalytic investments, strengthened partnerships, and practical outcomes to ensure sustainable, diversified, and regionally integrated energy development for both nations.