ZESCO SHARES INSIGHTS ON ENERGY SECURITY AT 2025 IZIC
On Friday, 18 July our Managing Director Eng. Justin Loongo represented ZESCO on a panel discussion in the Energy Session at the concluded 2025 Invest Zambia International Conference converged by the Zambia Development Agency at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
Alongside Zambia’s top energy minds and international investors, Eng. Loongo spoke on unlocking sustainable investment in the energy sector and shared ZESCO’s bold vision for transforming Zambia’s power landscape through renewable energy, public-private partnerships, and regional integration.
In his remarks, Eng. Justin Loongo reaffirmed the company’s unwavering commitment to transforming Zambia’s energy sector. He outlined four transformative focus areas currently driving ZESCO’s progress:
1. Debt Reduction: ZESCO Limited has significantly slashed its debt to USD262 million from USD1.8 billion in 2021, a major turnaround. The company is on track to completely clear its debt by mid-2026, setting the stage for improved liquidity, greater investor confidence, and operational efficiency.
2. Aggressive Solar Investment: As part of its shift to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources, ZESCO is making massive investments in solar energy projects to diversify the national energy mix, increase generation capacity, and mitigate the effects of climate change. Some of the solar projects include the advanced 50MW Luapula situated in Mansa. The projects soon to commence are 50MW Chipata, 50MW Kasama, 25MW Choma, and 100MW Kafue Gorge Lower.
3. Public-Private Partnerships: Eng. Loongo emphasized the role of strategic partnerships in unlocking infrastructure development and innovation, building on ZESCO’s ongoing collaboration with both local and international players to expand and diversify the country's energy mix. He cited the collaboration between ZESCO, its subsidiary, the Kariba North Bank Extension Power Corporation, Stanbic Bank, and PowerChina to develop the recently commissioned 100MW Chisamba Solar Plant. He went on to confirm the soon to commence 100MW Chisamba Solar phase two whose development agreement was signed with PowerChina on 16 July 2025 during the conference and witnessed by President Hakainde Hichilema.
4. Regional Energy Integration: By strengthening regional interconnections, ZESCO aims not only to secure Zambia’s energy needs but also position the country as a regional electricity hub within the SADC energy market. In April 2025, ZESCO, through the Government secured USD293 million for the development of the Zambia - Tanzania Interconnector, one which will link the Southern African Power Pool to the Eastern Africa Power Pool leading to expanded electricity trading opportunities for the two regions.
His remarks reinforced ZESCO’s commitment to driving real solutions that light up homes, power industries, and grow the economy.
We are not just keeping the lights on, we are building the future of energy in Zambia and beyond.
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