THE Zambia National Marketeers Credit Association (ZANAMACA) has called on the Ministry of Energy to roll out solar power plants across all 10 provinces, saying the success of the newly commissioned 100 megawatt Chisamba Solar Plant should not remain a one-off, but a blueprint for national development.
ZANAMACA president Mupila Kameya says solar energy must be viewed beyond its ability to keep the lights on but as a vital engine for economic stimulation and environmental protection.
Reacting to the commissioning of the Chisamba Solar Power Plant by President Hakainde Hichilema yesterday, Kameya said that the ripple effects of reliable energy in rural and urban Zambia are enormous, especially for marketeers, small-scale farmers and thousands of small businesses struggling under the weight of power shortages.
“Solar energy is not just a response to load-shedding, but a vehicle for job creation, economic growth and environmental protection,” Kameya said in a statement.
He explained that the informal economy which employs over six million Zambians, thrives on basic energy needs that when consistently met, increase productivity, cut business costs, and open doors to innovation.
Kameya also noted that affordable electricity enables rural farmers to power irrigation systems and preserve their produce, while marketeers and SMEs can extend business hours and access digital financial services with ease.
ZANAMACA’s call comes at a time when Zambia is grappling with widespread load-shedding due to poor rainfall that has affected hydropower generation.
The association believed that diversifying the country’s energy mix with more solar plants will shield the economy from climate shocks and support Zambia’s long-term development goals.
Kameya appealed to government not to let the Chisamba project be the last of its kind, but the beginning of a wave of smart, inclusive infrastructure that powers both bulbs and businesses.
By George Musonda
Kalemba July 1, 2025
