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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with the Zambian government, through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, to launch a US$150,000 project aimed at accelerating the country’s transition to electric mobility.
The initiative—Catalysing Zambia’s Transition to E-Mobility through Policy, Investment Readiness, and Demonstration Project—will provide technical and financial support to strengthen national efforts to integrate electric mobility into Zambia’s development agenda.
Speaking during the launch in Lusaka at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, UNDP Resident Representative, James Wakiaga, praised government for what he described as a significant milestone in advancing green transport solutions.
“I congratulate the Secretary to Cabinet for successfully achieving this milestone and for championing this agenda as an Ambassador for electric vehicles,” Wakiaga said.
He noted that the initiative signaled strong government commitment to deploying renewable energy across sectors while boosting private-sector confidence in the emerging e-mobility market.
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Wakiaga stressed that advancing green transport went beyond reducing emissions and improving air quality, saying the transition presented opportunities for technology transfer, innovation, skills development and job creation.
“E-mobility is not just about vehicles—it is about transforming how we think about energy, infrastructure, private-sector investment and the future of our cities,” he said, adding that the programme strengthened Zambia’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement through its Nationally Determined Contribution.
Delivering the keynote address, Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa said government must approach e-mobility as a coordination challenge rather than a standalone technology rollout.
He underscored the need for alignment across sectors, noting that energy planning could not be separated from transport, and that regulation must evolve alongside investment.
“Local authorities must be part of infrastructure planning, and financiers cannot be invited into a market where the rules remain uncertain,” Kangwa said.
He urged stakeholders to avoid symbolic approaches and instead prioritise commercially viable segments such as public transport fleets, delivery vehicles, motorcycles, mining mobility and corridor charging networks.
Kangwa also called for a shift from over-reliance on incentives to building a strong market architecture supported by clear tariffs, licensing frameworks, standards and coordinated implementation.
“The opportunity goes beyond vehicles to the entire ecosystem—charging infrastructure, grid services, assembly, maintenance, software and financing platforms. That is where jobs and local enterprise will grow,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ministry Permanent Secretary, Douty Chibamba, said Zambia had made notable progress through fiscal incentives and policy measures but that more must be done to create a functional market.
“Markets are built by certainty, standards, infrastructure, bankable demand and coordinated public action,” Chibamba said.
He identified the main challenge as establishing an investable ecosystem backed by clear charging regulations, viable tariffs, grid planning, data systems and financing models that attract utilities, banks, pension funds and private investors.
Chibamba further urged a shift in focus from private luxury EVs to high-impact segments such as buses, government fleets, motorcycles, logistics and mining transport.
“That is where demand can be aggregated, where charging can be planned, and where investors can begin to see predictable cash flows,” he said.
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