Zambia and Tanzania have officially launched the Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector Project (ZTIP), a landmark cross-border energy initiative aimed at enhancing regional electricity trade, energy security, and industrial growth. The launch ceremony was held at the Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka.
ZTIP forms part of the broader Zambia–Tanzania–Kenya (ZTK) power interconnection project. Once completed, it will link the national electricity grids of Zambia and Tanzania, enabling the two-way flow of electricity between the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP).
Speaking on behalf of Zambia’s Minister of Finance and National Planning, Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, Minister of Commerce, Trade and
Industry, emphasized the strategic importance of the project:
“This interconnection will transform our energy landscape and strengthen regional energy cooperation. It gives Zambia greater flexibility in electricity imports and the ability to export surplus power.”
Tanzania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Hon. Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko, outlined the progress on the Tanzanian side, including the construction of a 400kV, 616km transmission line from Iringa to Sumbawanga, complete with substations and a spur to Nakonde.
As of March 31, 2025, the transmission line was 51% complete, with substation work at 18%. The project is scheduled for commissioning by May 26, 2026.
Zambia’s Minister of Energy, Hon. Peter Kapala, hailed ZTIP as a game-changing infrastructure development:
“This high-voltage transmission line is a catalyst for economic development. It will power Zambia’s industrialization by delivering affordable, clean energy to key sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and agriculture.”
Currently, Zambia lacks a direct power link with Tanzania, preventing cross-border electricity exchange. ZTIP will bridge that gap, creating a unified regional electricity grid that will improve energy access, promote trade, and help address Zambia’s energy shortages.
Publisher: CONSTANCE