Zambia experienced a countrywide blackout on the evening of 24 November 2024 due to a technical failure in the national power distribution system. The disruption, which began around 8:15 p.m., also impacted Zimbabwe, which is interconnected with Zambia through power transmission networks. This event highlights the fragility of the region’s shared energy infrastructure.
According to Peter Mumba, Zambia’s Permanent Secretary for Energy, Zesco Limited, the state-owned power utility, swiftly mobilised to address the fault. Power was gradually restored by early Monday, with priority given to critical sectors such as mining. Notably, miners trapped underground during the outage were safely evacuated thanks to alternative power sources provided to affected sites.
Acting Zesco Managing Director Justin Loongo confirmed the complete restoration of power by 6 a.m. on 25 November. Meanwhile, Thabo Kawana, Permanent Secretary for Information and Media, reassured the public that emergency generators effectively sustained operations in essential facilities, including the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, refuting social media claims of fatalities during the blackout.
This incident underscores the vulnerabilities in Zambia’s reliance on ageing hydroelectric infrastructure, primarily fed by the Kariba Dam. Severe droughts in recent years have exacerbated the challenge, leading to energy rationing and frequent outages. Experts suggest Zambia could benefit from diversifying its energy mix by investing in renewable sources like solar and wind, as well as modernising grid management through smart metering technologies.
