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The Zambian government has launched the Accelerated Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Zambia (ASCENT-Zambia) programme, a US$250 million initiative supported by the World Bank.
The programme aims to connect more than 1.6 million Zambians to electricity and clean cooking technologies over the next five years.
Energy Minister Makozo Chikote, World Bank Country Manager Dr. Achim Fock, REA Acting Chief Executive Officer Alex Mumba and COMESA Assistant Secretary General for Programmes Dr. Mohamed Kadah launched the initiative in Lusaka on Wednesday.
Chikote said over 600,000 households would benefit from clean cooking solutions during the project period.
He announced that ASCENT will introduce a connection fee subsidy mechanism, reducing charges from K4,846 to K300, effective December 22, 2025.
“The 2026 application window for the subsidy mechanism would open on December 22, 2025, targeting 100,000 connection in 2026 alone,” Chikote said.
He instructed REA and ZESCO to ensure the initiative was widely publicised, adding that government remained committed to achieving universal access to electricity by 2030.
World Bank Country Manager Fock said the initiative brought together the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank and other partners to support sub-Saharan African countries in providing access to electricity to 300 million people.
“Until 2030, ASCENT Zambia will support a US$1.6 billion segment of the Government’s programme. Financing includes US$200 million from IDA and US$250 million in Government financing, with other cooperating partners and, crucially, the private sector expected to contribute to the programme,” he said.
Fock said that beyond last mile connections, ASCENT was strengthening institutions, building markets and investing in people. He added that reliable and affordable electricity supports small businesses, modern agriculture, health systems and education, creating jobs and improving standards of living.
REA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mumba, commended government for championing policy and financing reforms that made the programme possible.
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“ASCENT-Zambia introduces a result based financing model, ensuring that funds are released only when verified progress is achieved. This accountability driven approach guarantees that every investment delivers real impact for communities,” he said.
Mumba added that the programme focused on five strategic priorities: last mile electricity connections, strengthening grid infrastructure, scaling up off-grid renewable solutions, promoting clean cooking and increasing both public and private sector participation.
He said over the next five years, REA aimed to connect 368,400 households and 400 small and medium enterprises to electricity, with a target of 109,000 connections in 2026.
Kadah said the ASCENT programme was being implemented by COMESA and the Trade Development Bank at regional level to reduce energy poverty across Eastern and Southern Africa.
“With a USD5 billion investment from the World Bank, and an additional USD10 billion expected from other financing institutions, including the private sector, ASCENT seeks to connect 100 million people to clean and sustainable energy by 2030,” he said.
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