Anzana Electric Group has unveiled a joint venture with ZESCO Limited (ZESCO), Zambia's electricity utility, to connect 2 million people along the Lobito Corridor
The project entails a US$300mn investment targeting grid access for households and businesses in the Zambian portion of the strategic corridor, which stretches out to Angola’s Atlantic coast.
The Angola-Zambia-DRC corridor is being developed as a major economic artery for southern and central Africa, enhancing trade flows between these mineral-rich regions and global export markets.
Anzana, a developer, investor and operator of hydropower and grid distribution projects across Africa, said in a statement the project will enable the rehabilitation and expansion of Zambia’s electricity network to provide first-time grid-connections for nearly 2 million people by 2030.
The signing of the agreement between ZESCO and Anzana has advanced into finalised terms for a joint venture, paving the way for approximately US$300 million in blended commercial and concessional capital investments, the company noted.
The partnership builds on an earlier Memorandum of Understanding between Anzana and Zambia’s Ministry of Energy signed in February 2025.
“The strategic Lobito economic corridor approach is a model for future regional trade and development,” said Brian Kelly, CEO of Anzana.
“We are honoured to partner with ZESCO and the Government of Zambia to be the Lobito electrification partner and connect millions of Zambians to the opportunities that reliable electricity can enable.”
The collaboration between ZESCO and Anzana will also support new electricity generation, including run-of-river hydropower, and electricity distribution primarily in rural areas.
“This partnership builds on Anzana’s deep experience in the region, including our development of Weza Power in Burundi, and reflects our commitment to win-win partnerships enabling African countries to lead the next wave of electrification and economic growth,” said Kelly.
The agreement envisions that Anzana will lead the development of a pilot project in the North-Western Province of Zambia intended to accelerate the first connections in 2026.
Anzana and other development partners will jointly invest US$50mn to enable approximately 40,000 new household and business connections and add up to 8 MW of new generation over the course of two years, before expanding the scope to encompass the entire Lobito Corridor region.
“This is about more than infrastructure, it is about regional integration, jobs and powering a better future for Zambians along the Lobito economic corridor,” said ZESCO managing director Eng. Justin Loongo.
“We are excited to partner with Anzana who is employing an innovative and inclusive approach to attract capital and rapidly increase electrification rates in rural Zambia.”
Read more:
Weza Power to accelerate Burundi electrification
Anzana advances Lobito Corridor energy project
Zambia to ramp up electrification drive (Image source: Adobe Stock)
