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The full scope of Zambia’s portion of the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector Project is expected to be completed within 24 months, with commissioning scheduled for the second quarter of 2029, Parliament heard on Thursday.
The regional project involved the construction of a high-voltage power transmission line linking Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya over a distance of about 2,300 kilometres, at an estimated cost of US$1.2 billion.
Minister of Energy, Peter Kapala, gave the update in a ministerial statement on the development of the project presented to Parliament.
Kapala said the governments of Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya signed a Tripartite Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding in December 2014 to facilitate the development of the project.
Under the agreement, each country is responsible for financing, constructing and operating the infrastructure within its territory. Zambia has secured a total grant funding package of US$292 million for its portion of the project.
“The Governments of Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya agreed to interconnect their power systems by constructing a high voltage power line from Zambia through Tanzania to Kenya spanning a distance of about 2,300km at an estimated cost of US$1.2 billion,” Kapala said.
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He said Zambia’s funding comprised a US$245 million grant from the World Bank’s International Development Association, a US$30 million grant from the European Union and a US$17 million grant from the United Kingdom.
The grant funding became effective on April 25, 2025, following the signing of the Grant Facility Agreement on January 29, 2025, he said.
“The interconnection project is aimed at transforming the energy landscape of the three countries,” Kapala said.
He said Zambia’s portion of the project involved the construction of 613 kilometres of transmission lines and associated infrastructure, running from Pensulo in Serenje District to Nakonde through Mpika and Kasama.
Kapala said ZESCO Limited had commenced procurement and implementation activities, with the project divided into five packages.
“The Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector is a strategic project to the Grow Zambia Agenda and the country’s aspiration of becoming a regional hub for power trade, as this project will enable Zambia to trade up to 500 megawatts of power,” he said.
“I wish to urge members of this August House and all stakeholders to support Government in the implementation of the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector Project,” Kapala said.
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