AD1778: Amid electricity crisis, Zambians favour ending state monopoly, investing in solar and wind power

Zambia has been battling an energy crisis for several years, with frequent power shortages  hindering daily life and economy activity (Lloyd, 2024). The electricity crisis has been  attributed to low water levels in hydroelectric reservoirs and the worst drought the country  has experienced in the past five decades (Masanta, 2025; Sipula, 2024; Al Jazeera, 2024;  Chibwili, 2025). Hydropower accounts for 84% of electricity supply, making the country highly  vulnerable to climate change and meteorological phenomena such as El Niño that cause  drier conditions and reduce water flow in major river basins (Hamukale & Kimeto, 2024;  Ministry of Energy, 2024a).  

These environmental pressures and the inability of the Zambia Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO) to increase electricity production has led to a growing mismatch between the  generation capacity and rising energy demand, with the shortfall reaching 1,600 megawatts  in February 2024 (Parliament of Zambia, 2024). In response, ZESCO has implemented load  shedding – reductions in the availability of electricity due to limited generating capacity – for  up to 21 hours per day (Sipula, 2024). 

In February 2024, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema declared the drought a national disaster and called for local and international partners to provide humanitarian aid and  finalise ongoing debt-restructuring talks (Al Jazeera, 2024; ReliefWeb, 2024). The government  has since announced plans to alleviate the energy challenge through various solar-power  initiatives, including agreements to purchase solar energy from independent power  producers (Tembo, 2025; United Nations Development Programme, 2025; Open Zambia,  2025; Kemp, 2025). It has also removed value-added taxes and import duties on solar panels  and several related products (Ministry of Energy, 2024b). 

In the context of this energy crisis, a 2024 Afrobarometer survey provides an on-the-ground  perspective on electricity supply and the government’s performance.  

While a modest majority of Zambians live in areas supplied by the national power grid, only  half as many report being connected to the grid, and just one in 25 enjoy a reliable supply of electricity from the mains. Almost half of survey participants say they use alternative sources  of electricity, among which solar power is the most popular. 

Most citizens say the government is performing poorly on providing a reliable supply of  electricity. An overwhelming majority oppose privatising ZESCO, though there is widespread  support for allowing other players to compete with the state-owned utility company. 

Citizens are divided over the idea of paying more for electricity in exchange for better  services, but a large majority say the government should invest in wind and solar power for  electricity generation, even if it raises energy prices.