2025 Energy Forum for Africa opens in Lusaka, raises stake in energy industry

Stakes are high in the energy sector as the 2025 Energy Forum for Africa, which aims to unlock the potential of Zambia and other African countries, opens tomorrow in Lusaka.

Described by industry players and organizers as a high-level regional gathering, the event is expected to attract around 400 delegates from across Southern and Eastern Africa.

The forum will be officially opened by Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema, who is expected to outline measures the copper-rich nation will adopt to overcome its persistent power crisis.

The three-day event, running from September 10–12, 2025, will take place at the iconic Mulungushi International Conference Centre under the theme: “Investment Opportunities in the Energy Sector in Zambia and Africa.”

Participants will include policymakers, investors, utility companies, financiers such as Stanbic Bank Zambia, and independent power producers. Discussions will focus on issues like regional energy regulation harmonization and long-term solutions to Africa’s power challenges.

Local ministers expected to attend include Energy Minister Makozo Chikote, Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, and other Cabinet colleagues.

Chikote will also host counterparts from Mozambique, Botswana, and South Africa, among others, who will deliver keynote speeches.

The programme will feature keynote addresses, technical presentations, and panel discussions.

Topics will include public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities in the energy sector, models for risk allocation in PPPs, and ways to strengthen collaboration between the private and public sectors.

Further sessions will cover transaction advisory, due diligence, and investor requirements for renewable energy projects, with particular attention to mobilizing capital through local markets, private equity, and green bonds.

Emerging discussions will also explore financing mechanisms such as revolving funds or liquidity buffers for Southern Africa, alongside strategies to improve feasibility financing through harmonized regional regulations.

Delegates will additionally examine in-country regulatory frameworks that require alignment and how regulatory practices can influence investment flows into Africa’s energy sector.

Forum Chief Executive Officer, Hope Chanda, expressed confidence that this year’s event would provide an unrivalled platform for direct engagement between industry leaders and policymakers.

She highlighted the “Energy Spotlight” session, which will showcase renewable energy projects with a strong emphasis on solar power.

Among the highlights will be the “1,000 Solar Explosion,” representing President Hichilema’s private sector-backed initiative targeting 1,000 megawatts of solar projects across the region. Chanda added that multinational task force committees had been formed to follow up on projects after the conference to ensure tangible results.

Stanbic Bank Zambia, the main sponsor of the 2025 forum, will also showcase its efforts in bridging the financing gap in the energy sector as Zambia targets 1,000 MW of solar capacity before year-end.

Stanbic Chief Executive, Mwindwa Siakalima, at a recent public engagement reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to facilitating investments in both grid and off-grid solutions to mitigate the power supply crisis and support economic growth.

He cited Stanbic’s recent contributions, including the 100 MW Chisamba Solar PV Plant and facilitation of power imports to sustain economic activity.

Siakalima will also highlight the bank’s role in ongoing energy initiatives projected to add more than 500 MW to Zambia’s national grid.

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