World Bank Approves $292 Million for Zambia-Tanzania Power Interconnector
The World Bank has approved a $292 million grant to support the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector Project (ZTIP), designed to tackle key challenges in the energy sector and enhance regional power transmission.
Of the total financing, $245 million comes from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), with additional funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), contributing $17 million, and $30 million from the European Union.
Achim Fock, World Bank Country Manager for Zambia, emphasized the project’s importance in addressing Zambia’s significant energy sector challenges. He pointed out that the country’s power sector currently struggles with financial viability issues that hinder economic growth.
The Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector will improve the power transmission capacity between the two nations, enabling energy exchange between East and Southern Africa. This will support enhanced regional power access and stability.
Yadviga Semikolenova, the World Bank’s Energy Practice Manager for Eastern and Southern Africa, highlighted that the project will strengthen Zambia’s resilience to climate-related disruptions.
Additionally, it will bolster the national transmission system, facilitate new renewable energy generation, and expand electricity access across the region.
