Zambia to sign power interconnector deal with Tanzania – Finance minister, Musokotwane

Zambia is set to sign a power interconnector agreement with Tanzania this week, a move that will link the country to the entire East African region, Finance and National Planning Minister, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, has announced.

Speaking at the 10th Delphi Economic Forum in Greece, where he is representing President Hakainde Hichilema, Musokotwane said the agreement will unlock vast opportunities for investment in solar and other renewable energy sources in Zambia.

“We are already connected to the Southern African Power Pool, with links to Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana. We also have a somewhat unstable connection with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This week, we expect to sign the interconnector with Tanzania, which will not only connect us to Tanzania but to the entire East African region,” Musokotwane stated.

He added that the project, expected to be completed within the next two years, will eventually link Zambia to Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia.

“This means more and more investors will be attracted to Zambia’s solar and renewable energy sector,” he said.

Musokotwane emphasized that the development will enhance investor confidence, as Zambia becomes part of a larger and more stable regional energy market.

“If we have a surplus in energy production, we will be able to export to the Southern African region or East Africa—or any connected country,” he added.

He also highlighted Greece’s energy strategy, which includes plans to install undersea power cables to Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia, connecting through the Mediterranean to Turkey, Central Europe, and Northern Europe.

“For Zambia, this regional energy integration puts us in a strategic position. With interconnections to both East and Southern Africa, we will play a central role in energy distribution across the continent,” Musokotwane said.

He praised Greece’s energy transition experience, citing it as an inspiration for Zambia as it seeks to overcome traditional supply challenges and scale up alternative energy investments.

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