popular articles

The Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector Project: A Lever for Energy Integration in Africa

The Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector (ZTIP) project, backed by international financing, aims to strengthen electrical exchanges between Zambia and Tanzania, with major implications for energy integration in sub-Saharan Africa.

Please share:

Sub-Saharan Africa faces a major challenge in terms of access to energy. It is estimated that approximately 570 million people in this region still lack electricity. This is partly due to outdated infrastructure, insufficient investments, and inadequate energy policies. In the face of these challenges, the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector (ZTIP) project emerges as a strategic response to improve the region’s energy integration.

The ZTIP project, valued at $292 million, aims to strengthen the electrical transmission capacities between Zambia and Tanzania. This initiative is supported by financing from several international players, including the World Bank, the International Development Association (IDA), the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the European Union (EU). These investments are crucial for improving electrical infrastructure in both countries and facilitating regional energy exchanges.

A Key Project for Regional Energy Integration

The ZTIP marks an important step in energy cooperation between Zambia and Tanzania. One of the main features of this project is the establishment of 330-kilovolt transmission lines, which will particularly strengthen the Zambian electricity grid. This development is expected to enhance Zambia’s capacity to accommodate new renewable energy projects while reducing its dependence on hydropower, which is particularly vulnerable to climate variations.
Regional energy integration, supported by the ZTIP, will allow Zambia and Tanzania to join larger energy pools such as the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP), thus forming the largest geographical energy market in the world. This network will cover a vast area extending from Cape Town to Cairo, facilitating electricity exchanges between countries in the region.

Expected Economic and Environmental Impacts

Strengthening regional energy integration through projects like ZTIP could have several positive effects on the region’s economy. Firstly, access to more reliable and diversified energy could stimulate economic growth, reduce energy costs, and promote the establishment of new industries. Furthermore, the development of transmission infrastructure is also a lever to attract more investment into the energy sector.
The ZTIP project is also part of a dynamic of energy source diversification, which is essential for ensuring the region’s energy stability. In addition to hydropower, the region has numerous natural resources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy, which, once fully harnessed, could enhance energy security while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

A Model for Other Energy Integration Projects in Africa

The ZTIP represents a potential model for other regional initiatives across Africa. Since 1995, the region has set up several energy pools to facilitate electricity exchanges between countries, such as those in East and Southern Africa. With projects like ZTIP, these initiatives can be strengthened, contributing to the goal of a better-connected and more energetically integrated Africa.
The outcomes of this project could serve as a reference for other similar projects, providing concrete solutions to improve electricity access, encourage investment in infrastructure, and reduce energy costs.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

The Minister of Industry and Energy expressed openness to a debate and a vote on the 2025–2035 energy strategy, amid criticism from opposition parties over the lack of democratic consultation.
France’s Ministry of Industry and Energy postpones the 2025 energy voucher to November, citing delayed budget approval and announcing revised allocation rules.
France’s Ministry of Industry and Energy postpones the 2025 energy voucher to November, citing delayed budget approval and announcing revised allocation rules.
France’s decarbonisation pace slowed significantly in 2024, according to Citepa, putting its 2030 climate targets at risk.
France’s decarbonisation pace slowed significantly in 2024, according to Citepa, putting its 2030 climate targets at risk.
Luc Rémont was dismissed as head of EDF by the French executive due to disagreements over industrial contract strategy and financing of the EPR2 nuclear programme.
Luc Rémont was dismissed as head of EDF by the French executive due to disagreements over industrial contract strategy and financing of the EPR2 nuclear programme.
Just Stop Oil will end its high-profile actions after one of its core demands was integrated into the British government's energy policy.
The surge in solar production and the slow upgrade of electricity infrastructure are blocking thousands of projects in the Netherlands, affecting energy security and consumer costs.
The surge in solar production and the slow upgrade of electricity infrastructure are blocking thousands of projects in the Netherlands, affecting energy security and consumer costs.
The development of French power grids is facing a structural shortage of skilled labour, despite €200bn in projected investments by 2040.
The development of French power grids is facing a structural shortage of skilled labour, despite €200bn in projected investments by 2040.
Luc Rémont's departure exposes ongoing disagreements between EDF and the French State over electricity pricing for industry and the financing terms of the nuclear programme.
Luc Rémont's departure exposes ongoing disagreements between EDF and the French State over electricity pricing for industry and the financing terms of the nuclear programme.
The European Investment Bank approves a final tranche of PLN1.7bn for Orlen to modernise electricity distribution infrastructure in Poland via its subsidiary Energa Operator.
Luc Rémont is replaced as head of EDF as French manufacturers criticise a pricing strategy seen as incompatible with national industrial competitiveness.
Luc Rémont is replaced as head of EDF as French manufacturers criticise a pricing strategy seen as incompatible with national industrial competitiveness.
Luc Rémont will not be reappointed as Chairman of Électricité de France, two years after his nomination, despite record profits in 2024 and the revival of the nuclear fleet.
Luc Rémont will not be reappointed as Chairman of Électricité de France, two years after his nomination, despite record profits in 2024 and the revival of the nuclear fleet.
The French government has appointed Bernard Fontana to lead EDF, relying on his experience in nuclear energy and energy-intensive industries, amid strategic restructuring and rising tariff pressures.
The French government has appointed Bernard Fontana to lead EDF, relying on his experience in nuclear energy and energy-intensive industries, amid strategic restructuring and rising tariff pressures.
Kazakhmys, the leading copper producer in Kazakhstan, partially suspends its operations after the death of eight workers. The company is conducting an inspection of its facilities to ensure operational safety.
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) warns of the potentially devastating consequences of a power plant project near its telescopes in the Atacama Desert, highlighting irreversible light pollution.
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) warns of the potentially devastating consequences of a power plant project near its telescopes in the Atacama Desert, highlighting irreversible light pollution.
The recent elections in Greenland resulted in a victory for the Demokraatit party, which advocates gradual independence from Denmark and increased support for the exploitation of natural resources, prioritizing the mining and energy sectors. This election comes amid heightened international tensions, notably due to proposals by Donald Trump to annex the territory.
The recent elections in Greenland resulted in a victory for the Demokraatit party, which advocates gradual independence from Denmark and increased support for the exploitation of natural resources, prioritizing the mining and energy sectors. This election comes amid heightened international tensions, notably due to proposals by Donald Trump to annex the territory.
In January 2025, Italy recorded a trade deficit of €264 million, largely attributed to the rising energy costs, according to the National Institute of Statistics (Istat).
In January 2025, Italy recorded a trade deficit of €264 million, largely attributed to the rising energy costs, according to the National Institute of Statistics (Istat).
The National Federation of Mines and Energy of the General Confederation of Labour (FNME-CGT) has elected Fabrice Coudour as secretary general. He succeeds Sébastien Ménesplier and inherits strategic issues, including the opening of hydropower concessions to competition.
Nigerien authorities have ordered the expulsion of three Chinese executives from oil companies and shut down a hotel owned by a Chinese company. This decision is part of a policy aimed at strengthening national control over the country’s energy resources.
Nigerien authorities have ordered the expulsion of three Chinese executives from oil companies and shut down a hotel owned by a Chinese company. This decision is part of a policy aimed at strengthening national control over the country’s energy resources.
The French government has issued a decree expanding the use of treated wastewater to industrial and nuclear sectors, aiming to reduce pressure on water resources.
The French government has issued a decree expanding the use of treated wastewater to industrial and nuclear sectors, aiming to reduce pressure on water resources.
An incident in a private power plant caused a nationwide blackout in Panama on Saturday night. The national power grid was severely impacted, leading to an interruption in the potable water supply. Authorities are investigating the causes of the event.
An incident in a private power plant caused a nationwide blackout in Panama on Saturday night. The national power grid was severely impacted, leading to an interruption in the potable water supply. Authorities are investigating the causes of the event.
The capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, is facing a prolonged power outage, severely disrupting economic activities and exacerbating water shortages.
More than 160 senators from the right and centre have urged François Bayrou to suspend the publication of the third Multi-Year Energy Programme (PPE 3), criticizing its lack of a comprehensive vision and calling for greater parliamentary involvement in defining the energy mix.
More than 160 senators from the right and centre have urged François Bayrou to suspend the publication of the third Multi-Year Energy Programme (PPE 3), criticizing its lack of a comprehensive vision and calling for greater parliamentary involvement in defining the energy mix.
With several mining projects recently funded, Brazil is strengthening its national strategy to exploit its rare earth reserves, amid sharply declining global prices and geopolitical tensions in this strategic market.
With several mining projects recently funded, Brazil is strengthening its national strategy to exploit its rare earth reserves, amid sharply declining global prices and geopolitical tensions in this strategic market.
The Canada Energy Regulator has approved, with modifications, the cost allocation methodology for friction reducers on the Keystone Canada pipeline system. South Bow GP (Canada) Ltd. will need to recalculate the tolls for 2020 and 2021 before final validation.
The Canada Energy Regulator has approved, with modifications, the cost allocation methodology for friction reducers on the Keystone Canada pipeline system. South Bow GP (Canada) Ltd. will need to recalculate the tolls for 2020 and 2021 before final validation.

Advertising