Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on Wednesday officiated the Central and Eastern Africa International Investment Forum (CEIIF), urging stronger regional cooperation in energy management to drive economic growth, industrialisation, and cross-border investment.
Addressing delegates, the President emphasised that energy security must be treated as a shared regional priority, rather than an isolated national responsibility. He said that interconnected power systems, harmonised regulatory frameworks, and coordinated planning would significantly enhance trade flows, industrial development, and investment activity across Central and Eastern Africa.
He noted that deeper collaboration among neighbouring countries would also help mitigate future energy shocks and improve economic resilience, particularly in the face of climate-related and geopolitical uncertainties.
Highlighting domestic progress, President Hichilema outlined key reforms implemented in Zambia’s energy sector, stating that these measures had addressed longstanding challenges related to power supply reliability, governance, and regulatory efficiency.
Among the major reforms, he cited the introduction of Open Access to the national grid and the establishment of a single licensing framework, both of which have streamlined approval processes, reduced bureaucratic delays, and enhanced transparency. According to the President, these steps have created a more predictable and investor-friendly environment, while strengthening regulatory oversight and market efficiency.
As a result, Zambia now hosts Independent Power Traders operating alongside a growing number of Independent Power Producers (IPPs), diversifying the country’s energy mix, fostering competition, and improving electricity reliability for households and industrial users.
The President acknowledged that the government had taken difficult but necessary decisions to address the recent energy crisis, noting that failure to act would have posed significant risks to national economic stability.
Looking ahead, Mr. Hichilema announced Zambia’s ambition to expand national power generation capacity to 10,000 MW, with 3,000 MW to be generated from coal, as part of a balanced energy strategy combining renewable energy with baseload power to support long-term industrial growth and economic transformation.
He concluded by reaffirming Zambia’s commitment to regional partnerships, innovation, and sustainable energy development, describing them as essential pillars for achieving long-term economic prosperity and energy security across the region.
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