Zambia’s state-owned utility firm, Zesco, has signed a $300 million deal with Anzana Electric Group to connect 2 million residents to the country’s national grid for the first time.
In a joint statement on Thursday, Zesco and Anzana said the agreement covers expansion and rehabilitation of Zambia’s electricity network.
The circular also indicated that the deal followed an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February 2025.
Zambia, with a population of over 21 million, continues to face low electricity access due to network constraints and infrastructure challenges.
Zesco’s Managing Director, Justin Loongo, said the investment will attract infrastructure development and promote regional integration in Zambia.
According to him, the capital will help increase rural electrification and address other power-related challenges.
“We are excited to partner with Anzana, who is employing an innovative and inclusive approach to attract capital and rapidly increase electrification rates in rural Zambia,” Loongo said in a statement.
The statement also noted that most of the investment will go toward electrifying communities along the Lobito Corridor.
Investment in Zesco’s electricity expansion
Anzana spokesperson Thomas Wallace said the investment will also drive electricity expansion in the southern African nation.
Under the deal, Zesco is entering into a joint venture agreement with Anzana to help attract investment into the country’s power sector.
Beyond the initial $300 million, Wallace said the company is also planning a pilot project for the Angola-Zambia-DRC corridor.
The trade route is being developed as a major economic artery for Southern and Central Africa, supporting the export of mineral resources.
Wallace added that Anzana’s investment in Zambia will add 8 megawatts to the national grid while channeling $50 million to enable “40,000 households and businesses” within two years.
Anzana is a British development finance institution focused on electricity expansion across Africa.
Zambia’s electricity outlook
Zambia, which recently launched the Chisamba Solar Power Plant with a 1,000 MW capacity, is planning to further expand its electricity access coverage.
The government said access to electricity has risen to 54% from just 34% in the last five years.
The country’s Energy Minister Makozo Chikote said earlier this month that the country aims to add another 1,000 MW of capacity through solar PV to the national grid.
According to Chikote, the plan will be driven by presidential directives and ongoing reforms in the power sector.
“This is in line with President Hichilema’s directive, to help eliminate load shedding,” Chikote said.
The reforms include phasing out inefficient subsidies and attracting more capital investment into electricity infrastructure.
Like many African countries, Zambia depends on a centralized grid powered largely by thermal plants.
However, it is pushing for greater renewable energy integration as part of its transition strategy to expand electricity access to its residents.
