Zambia is actively pursuing a renewable energy partnership with China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in a bid to address its persistent electricity blackouts and expand access to sustainable power.
This was disclosed during a high-level meeting in Lusaka between Zambia’s Minister of Energy, Mr. Makozo Chikote, and Mr. Erkin Tuniyaz, Chairman of China’s Xinjiang Region, who led a delegation of energy engineers and investors.
The Chinese delegation explored investment opportunities in Zambia’s renewable energy sector, with a focus on solar and wind energy projects.
The move comes as Zambia grapples with worsening load-shedding amidst a national debt crisis that affects key sectors like mining and agriculture.
Minister Chikote pledged the government’s commitment to energy sector reforms aimed at creating a more attractive environment for private investment.
“The government of Zambia is committed to fast-tracking energy investments and finding practical solutions to our electricity challenges. We are creating an enabling environment through policy and regulatory reforms to attract greater private sector participation,” Chikote told the delegation.
As part of these reforms, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) recently approved 62 energy licenses, showcasing Zambia’s efforts to build a transparent and supportive regulatory framework.
Chairman Tuniyaz expressed China’s willingness to support Zambia’s energy goals and invited the Zambian Ministry of Energy to send technical experts to China for further cooperation in clean energy development.
“China is ready to come in and support Zambia,” Tuniyaz said, stressing the critical role of stable power supply in economic growth.
China’s potential investment could help Zambia diversify its energy mix, reduce dependence on hydroelectric and fossil fuel sources, and build climate-resilient infrastructure.
The bilateral engagement comes as Zambia and China celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations that span mining to other sectors.
Previously, Minister Chikote invited UK-based Echo Eight Investments Limited to establish clean energy projects in Zambia during a recent summit in London.
In addition, the country also signed a $1.5 billion agreement with Mozambique to construct a cross-border gas pipeline to improve energy security in the region.
The growing call for international energy partners points to Zambia’s strategic push to end a disturbing power problem that keeps sabotaging the nation’s economic growth.