AMID growing concerns from citizens over continued power exports despite widespread load shedding, Energy Minister Makozo Chikote has explained why Zambia continues to export electricity to other countries, even though the country is currently facing power cuts.
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Chikote clarified that Zambia cannot simply shut off electricity exports without risking severe regional and financial consequences.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Chikote explained that Zambia, through Zesco, operates within the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), a regional interconnected electricity grid which binds the country to both technical and contractual obligations.
“Madam Speaker, we are not operating in isolation. We are part of an interconnected power system, and under the SAPP regulations, cutting off exports or imports would destabilise the entire regional grid. In fact, Zambia is currently a net importer of power,” he said.
Chikote revealed that revenues from Zesco’s existing export contracts are not simply a profit avenue but are tied to important financial obligations.
“These revenues are being used to service loans and finance power projects currently under development,” he stated.
“Cancelling or suspending exports would jeopardise our financial credibility and delay critical infrastructure projects.”
He also noted that Zambia was bound by long term contracts with neighbouring countries and if it pulls out of these agreements prematurely, it risks facing heavy financial penalties that would further burden the already strained national utility and external debt obligations.
To cushion the effects of the ongoing power deficit, the government has introduced emergency electricity tariffs aimed at helping to fund power imports and encouraging energy saving behaviour.
“These tariffs will help raise funds for emergency power imports while promoting a shift to alternative energy sources such as solar and liquified petroleum gas (LPG), especially for domestic use,” said Chikote.
He added that the strategy was also intended to preserve available electricity for productive sectors like manufacturing, mining, and agriculture, industries critical to Zambia’s economic growth and employment.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, June 13, 2025
