Lusaka, Zambia – 11 April 2025: Today, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Kingdom launched the Zambia-Tanzania Power Interconnector project.  The project launch marks a milestone in strengthening regional energy trade, improving the resilience of Zambia’s electricity sector, and supporting inclusive green growth across Eastern and Southern Africa.

The Interconnector will enable the exchange of electricity between the Southern African and Eastern African Power Pools through a 620-kilometre high-voltage transmission line from Pensulo in Zambia to Nakonde at the Tanzanian border. It will significantly expand Zambia’s ability to import and export electricity, helping to mitigate the impact of recurring droughts on the country’s hydro-based power system. 

The Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector is co-financed by the World Bank with a grant of approximately €220 million, the European Union contributing €30 million, and the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office with €18 million. The project will be implemented by ZESCO, with institutional support to the Ministry of Energy and the Office for Promoting Private Power Investment.

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “The Global Gateway Strategy is about creating new opportunities, and this interconnector will do exactly that. It will interlink Southern and Eastern African power pools and strengthen the reliability of electricity supplies both for local communities and local businesses and the climate resilience of energy system across Southern and Eastern Africa. This interconnector will also contribute to the global campaign “scaling up renewables in Africa” launched last year”.

Achim Fock, World Bank Country Manager for Zambia, echoed the sentiment: “This project is a transformative step for energy security and resilience in Southern and Eastern Africa. It reflects our strong commitment to Zambia’s sustainable growth and regional integration.”

The UK Government said, “The UK is backing Zambia’s power sector with technical expertise, investment finance and capital grants. Regional power trading through ZTIP is about more than ending power shortages – it is a catalyst for unlocking renewable energy at scale, powering industry, creating jobs and driving long-term economic growth.”

The interconnector supports Zambia’s 8^th National Development Plan and the implementation of the EU-Zambia Memorandum of Understanding on Critical Raw Materials and the UK-Zambia Memorandum of Understanding on Renewable Energy.

It also promotes the development of strategic economic corridors like Lobito, which have strong energy and transport networks to lift economic growth. This interconnector will be crucial in helping Zambia achieve its goal of tripling copper production by 2031 by providing a reliable power supply for the industry and alleviating constraints on economic activity. 

Background: The Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector is a flagship project under the Global Gateway strategy in Africa. Global Gateway is the European Union’s strategy to boost sustainable, trusted connections worldwide in the digital, energy, transport, health, and education sectors. It offers a values-driven, high-standard, and transparent approach to infrastructure investment, supporting green and inclusive growth. Global Gateway mobilises public and private capital in Africa to deliver infrastructure that unlocks trade, strengthens resilience, and improves everyday lives.

For media inquiries and accreditation, contact:

EU Delegation to Zambia & COMESA: Mweemba Nchimunya, +260 970007092, Nchimunya.Mweemba@eeas.europa.eu 

UK FCDO: Jonathan Siame, +260 97 5792750, Jonathan.Siame@fcdo.gov.uk

World Bank: Carlyn Hambuba, +260 211 373218, chambuba@worldbank.org