Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Summit Opens Amid Ongoing Power Crisis

The second edition of the Zimbabwe–Zambia Energy Projects Summit (ZimZam 2025) commenced on November 26, 2025, in Livingstone, Zambia, gathering key stakeholders in response to the persistent energy crisis affecting both nations. The summit will conclude on November 28, 2025, and aims to foster collaboration among policymakers, investors, and energy developers to address the ongoing challenges in the energy sector.

This year’s event builds on the inaugural summit held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and features participation from the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). With lead support from the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) as the Country Host, along with sponsorship from Petrodex, ZESCO, and Standard Bank, the summit is positioned as a crucial platform for promoting sustainable investment and regional cooperation.

Despite the gathering of influential figures, the energy situation in both Zimbabwe and Zambia remains dire. In Zimbabwe, households and businesses continue to experience significant power outages, with electricity rationing resulting in daily disruptions from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Many are forced to rely on costly alternatives, such as diesel generators, to maintain operations. The energy crisis is reportedly more acute in Zambia, where some consumers receive electricity from the grid for only two hours a day.

The underlying cause of the generation shortfall stems partially from low water levels at the 2,000 MW Kariba Dam, managed by the Zambezi River Authority. Consequently, both the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and ZESCO have been compelled to limit electricity generation at their respective power stations. For instance, Kariba South has been operating at a maximum output of around 500 MW, a significant reduction from its installed capacity of 1,050 MW, with potential generation further capped at 250 MW depending on water allocation.

The urgency of the energy crisis was not adequately addressed during a recent Zimbabwe–Zambia business conference held in Harare, raising concerns about the prioritization of energy issues within governmental agendas. Attendees at ZimZam 2025 hope to see concrete initiatives that will lead to an increase in energy generation capacity in both countries.

The summit will be officially opened by the Honourable Makozo Chikote, Zambia’s Minister of Energy, who is expected to reaffirm the country’s commitment to regional energy integration and public-private collaboration. ZESCO is set to unveil recent policy and regulatory reforms designed to enhance predictability and bolster investor confidence. Justin Loongo, Managing Director of ZESCO, emphasized that Zambia’s evolving energy policy has significantly improved the investment landscape, stating, “Through open access and predictable tariffs, we’ve created an environment where public and private partners can deliver real progress.”

The ZimZam 2025 agenda includes discussions on financing the SADC Just Energy Transition Framework, enhancing interconnections, expanding renewable energy capacity, and encouraging cross-border investment. While these objectives are commendable, there is a pressing need for expedited actions to mitigate the worsening energy crisis.

Progress has been made in recent years with the development of new generation capacity, such as the $2.3 billion Kafue Gorge Lower (KGL) hydro project in Zambia, which will produce 750 MW, and the $1.5 billion 600 MW plants at Hwange in Zimbabwe. Despite these advancements, further capacity is urgently required.

Both nations are also pursuing the Batoka Gorge hydro project, which includes the construction of two underground power stations with a combined capacity of 2,400 MW, equally shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Recent reports indicate that the two countries have engaged US-based Synergy Consulting as the lead financial advisor for the $4.5 billion Batoka Gorge hydropower dam project. Synergy’s role includes preparing requests for proposals and shortlisting potential bidders, a significant step towards making this long-discussed project a reality.

The need for urgency is illustrated by Ethiopia’s recent success with the 5,150 MW Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which is expected to add approximately 15,500 GWh of clean electricity to its energy mix. Following the completion of the GERD, Ethiopia has initiated work on the 1,800 MW Koysha hydropower plant, set to be finished by 2029. This level of commitment to new energy projects highlights the type of urgency required to address the ongoing electricity rationing in Zambia and Zimbabwe.

As both countries strive to enhance their economic growth, industrialization emerges as a key pillar. This endeavor demands immediate attention to the power supply situation to avoid turning industrialization into merely another buzzword. Addressing transmission and distribution challenges, alongside promoting distributed solar energy adoption, will be critical for both nations.

With net-metering now allowed, homes and businesses with surplus energy can feed back into the grid, creating opportunities for independent power producers. The regulatory environment in both countries supports these developments, but the focus must shift to implementing joint projects swiftly and effectively to alleviate the energy crisis and support sustainable economic growth.