Zambia has just reached a major milestone in its energy transition by signing a series of agreements with several Chinese groups aimed at developing up to 1,000 MW of additional solar capacity by 2027. These memoranda of understanding (MoUs) should allow the country to reduce its dependence on hydroelectric power, which has been severely impacted by recurring droughts, while strengthening its energy security and regional export ambitions.

A Mega Partnership Between Zambia and China on Solar Power

Signed at State House in the presence of President Hakainde Hichilema, the MoUs link the Zambian government to Chinese solar giants such as LONGi Green Energy, China Pingmei Shenma Holding Group, and Sino Green Technology. The framework agreement provides for the development of solar projects totaling up to 1,000 MW, with power plants distributed across several regions of the country.

A first 100 MW pilot project will be launched in Itezhi-Tezhi as early as April 2026, with construction estimated to take between eight and ten months, while other parks – notably in Chisamba, where a 100 MW project is already under construction – will complete this green pipeline. The government is highlighting a “key” partnership to modernize its electricity grid, while reducing the country’s vulnerability to dam level fluctuations.

Addressing the energy crisis and diversifying the energy mix

For several years, Zambia has been severely impacted by the effects of climate change on its hydroelectric-dominated electricity system, with frequent power outages whenever the level of Lake Kariba drops. For ZESCO and the Ministry of Energy, adding at least 1,000 MW of solar power is therefore strategic:

• It secures the supply for households and businesses.
• It supports the growth of energy-intensive sectors (industry, mining, digital).
• It paves the way for potential energy exports to neighboring countries, once domestic demand is better met.

This partnership aligns with Hichilema’s stated objective of increasing solar capacity to 10,000 MW in the long term, complementing the IPP projects already signed (approximately 500 MW expected from independent producers).

Expected Economic and Industrial Benefits

Beyond electricity production, Zambian authorities highlight several leverage effects:

• Direct Chinese investment in energy infrastructure and potentially in assembly or storage units (batteries, PV systems).
• Job creation in the construction, operation, and maintenance of power plants, as well as in related services.
• Enhanced attractiveness of the country for industrial and technological investors, thanks to more reliable and cleaner energy.
• LONGi and its partners welcome Zambia’s stability and development trajectory, which they consider a key market for their technologies in Africa.

A matter of energy sovereignty and climate

By investing in renewable energy with a partner like China, Lusaka seeks to reconcile several objectives: reducing carbon emissions, improving access to electricity (less than 50% of the population in 2022), and protecting itself from climate shocks that threaten its dams. The government also emphasizes the role of these projects in long-term economic resilience, by securing a vital input for industry and services.

These Chinese agreements are therefore not simply infrastructure projects: they are reshaping Zambia’s energy landscape and, potentially, its position as a future green energy hub in Southern Africa.