Written By :Faith Jemosop
Zambia has made a bold move. The Minister of Energy, Makozo Chikote, is inviting a UK-based company, Echo Eight Investments to deliver 5 gigawatts of clean energy. The goal? End loadshedding and achieve energy independence by December 2025. The proposal is as ambitious as it is urgent. And it could redefine Zambia’s role in the region.
Let’s start with math.
Zambia’s current installed electricity capacity stands at just over 3 gigawatts, the bulk of it hydro-based. But with climate variability, aging infrastructure, and rising demand, this has proven insufficient resulting in persistent load shedding that cuts power for up to 12 hours a day in some regions. The government’s long-term goal is to scale up to 9 gigawatts.
Now, compare that with the neighbours.
- Kenya generates about 5 gigawatts, with strong geothermal and wind power capabilities.
- Uganda sits at around 1.3 gigawatts, mostly hydro.
- Tanzania hovers around 1.6 gigawatts.
- Zimbabwe struggles with less than 2 gigawatts, often operating below capacity.
- Ethiopia, a rising energy giant in the region, boasts over 10 gigawatts, thanks to massive hydro projects like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Zambia, in comparison, is somewhere in the middle neither energy-poor nor energy-dominant. But it wants to shift that balance. And fast.
Echo Eight’s proposal includes solar farms, hybrid systems, cutting-edge battery storage, patented 3D solar panels, and rooftop wind turbines. Founder David Green says the company has “immediate capital” and is ready to begin deployment within six months of regulatory clearance.
The timeline is aggressive, bordering on unrealistic. But Zambia is not dismissing it. On the contrary, they’re fast-tracking it.
Director of Planning and Information Mwape Chipala says Zambia will remove bureaucratic barriers for “credible investors.” That word credible is key. Because the risk here is real. Africa has seen its share of overpromising partners who vanish after ground-breaking ceremonies.
But even partial success could change the game. Chipala noted that just 1 gigawatt would stabilize Zambia’s national grid. Imagine what five could do.
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This isn’t just about domestic power supply. It’s about regional influence. Zambia is pursuing cross-border interconnectors to export surplus power. If it hits its 9-gigawatt target, it could become a regional energy hub, exporting to power-hungry neighbours like Zimbabwe, Namibia, and even the Democratic Republic of Congo.
There’s a political layer too. General elections are set for 2026. Ending load shedding by December 2025 would be a major win for the current administration. This isn’t just a policy deadline, it’s a campaign milestone.
That’s why this meeting in London was more than a courtesy call. It involved Deputy Head of Mission Mrs. Lubu Chibwe Nxumalo, Counsellor Economic Mr. Kasalika Mulenga, and First Secretary Trade Ms. Yvonne Zulu. It was strategic, coordinated, and publicly announced via a press release by Speedwell Mupuchi at the Zambia High Commission.
But here’s the tough question is Can Echo Eight deliver?
Because 5 gigawatts is not a pitch deck number. It’s steel, glass, copper, and logistics. It’s real land, real labor, and regulatory clearance in one of Africa’s most demanding investment environments. Echo Eight’s promise is bold. But bold promises are easy. Execution is not.
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Still, the fact that Zambia is setting the bar this high is itself noteworthy. It signals a shift from slow, donor-dependent infrastructure rollouts to a bolder, investor-led model.
If this gamble works, Zambia could leapfrog past its neighbours. If it doesn’t, it becomes another missed opportunity in a continent littered with good intentions.
So the question is simple: Is Echo Eight a game-changer or another ghost investor?
We’ll find out in 19 months.
