Tanzania Set to Export Electricity to Zambia via Interconnector by 2026

The implementation phase for the Zambian portion of the significant Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector project has officially commenced, backed by grant financing totalling $292 million.

This marks a major advancement in enhancing regional electricity trade and energy security between the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) and the East Africa Power Pool (EAPP).

The project, known as the Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya (ZTK) interconnector, aims to enhance electricity trade between the Southern Africa Power Pool and the East Africa Power Pool, thereby creating a large electricity market, stimulating new investments in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and rural electrification.

The total $292 million financing is provided in grant, of this, $245 million is from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), $17 million from the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), and $30 million from the European Union (EU).

A launch event celebrating the financing implementation was held on April 11, 2025, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.

The event saw collaboration between the Zambian Government, the World Bank, the EU, the Government of the United Kingdom, COMESA, the Government of Kenya, and the Government of Tanzania.

Representing Tanzania, Innocent Luoga, speaking on behalf of the Energy Minister, highlighted the commitment of the heads of state from Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya to interconnect their national power grids.

He emphasized the importance of the 400kV, 4-kilometre double circuit transmission line from Tunduma (Tanzania) to Nakonde (Zambia).

Mr. Luoga announced that Tanzania expects to commission its part of the interconnector project on May 26, 2026, and anticipates readiness to begin selling power to Zambia by the following year.

The World Bank Country Manager for Zambia, Ackim Fock, stated: “The Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector truly represents a transformative step in strengthening Zambia’s power sector but also that of Africa more generally. The transmission line will enhance reliability and climate resilience of the power system.”

The COMESA Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Kadah, whose organization supported feasibility studies and impact assessments, remarked: “Energy Security has become a top priority both for Africa and the World. The full energy interconnectivity and increased power production using renewable energy have been identified as high-priority action areas in the COMESA region.”

The EU Special Advisor, Mr. Henrik Hololei, stressed the project would “boost growth, foster regional energy security while also strengthening the connections and moving regions.”

For his part, Zambia’s Energy Minister, Makozo Chikote, commented: “The Zambia-Tanzania interconnector is the beginning of many interconnectors that we are looking at implementing. The projects to be considered to connect our neighbouring countries are the Mozambique interconnector, Malawi, Angola, and Zimbabwe. This is to increase and assure regional security. Each of these projects will further improve energy access and economic opportunities, positioning Zambia as a leader in the regional energy Market.”

Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector Project

The project will construct a 620 km 400 kV double circuit transmission line, from Iringa in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, to the Zambian border, and continue from the Zambian border to Sumbawanga.

This will link the Tanzanian grid to Zambia’s grid, and it includes the construction of a substation at Tunduma, close to the Zambian border.

The project will complete the segment of the Ethiopia – Kenya – Tanzania – Zambia regional transmission corridor.