The Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector Project (ZTIP) marks a significant step towards strengthening regional energy integration, enhancing economic development, and improving energy security across Southern and Eastern Africa. Backed by the World Bank, the project is designed to provide Zambia with access to a more reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective electricity supply. This development is set to contribute to economic growth, employment creation, and greater resilience to climate-related disruptions.
The project falls under the World Bank’s Regional Energy Transmission, Trade, and Decarbonisation-Southern Africa-Multiphase Programmatic Approach (RETRADE-SA MPA). This broader initiative seeks to promote power trade, climate-resilient infrastructure, and the transition to a low-carbon electricity grid across the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) source.
With a total grant funding of $292 million, the project receives $245 million from the International Development Association (IDA), $17 million from the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) via the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), and $30 million from the European Union (EU).
At the core of the ZTIP is the construction of a 620km, 400kV double-circuit transmission line, which will run from Iringa in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands to the Zambian border, continuing to Sumbawanga. This interconnection will integrate Tanzania’s power grid with Zambia’s, enhancing cross-border electricity trade and fostering regional cooperation. Additionally, a new substation will be developed in Tunduma, near the Zambia-Tanzania border, to facilitate efficient power transmission source.
According to the World Bank, this transmission corridor will play a pivotal role in linking the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) with SAPP. Once completed, it will create one of the world’s largest geographic electricity markets, spanning from Cape Town to Cairo. The increased power exchange capacity is expected to lower electricity costs, mitigate supply disruptions, and support industrial and commercial expansion across the region.
For Zambia, the interconnector is particularly significant. Yadviga Semikolenova, Energy Practice Manager for Eastern and Southern Africa at the World Bank, emphasised that the project would bolster Zambia’s resilience against climate shocks. It would also enhance the country’s ability to integrate new renewable energy projects into its national grid, facilitating the expansion of electricity access in underserved regions source.
Achim Fock, the World Bank’s Country Manager for Zambia, highlighted the economic constraints imposed by the country’s struggling power sector. He stated that the interconnector would improve the financial sustainability of Zambia’s electricity supply by increasing transmission capacity and fostering energy trade between East and Southern Africa.
A report from the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) in November 2024 further reinforced the strategic importance of the project. The company noted that the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector would serve as the critical linkage between SAPP, which comprises 12 member states, and EAPP, which consists of 13 countries. This integration will open new avenues for power trading, extending from southern Africa to as far north as Libya source.
The project is also expected to have a substantial impact on employment and local communities. During the peak construction phase, approximately 600 workers will be engaged, with around 120 continuing in operational roles post-construction. Of these, 80% will be unskilled labourers, providing job opportunities to local communities. ZESCO estimates that 85% of the workforce will be sourced locally, while 15% will come from regional and international sources.
The Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector has evolved considerably since its conceptualisation in 2013. While initial designs have undergone multiple revisions, the current implementation schedule anticipates a construction period of approximately 24 months. Given the scale and complexity of the project, this timeline underscores the urgency of accelerating infrastructure development to meet growing energy demands in the region.
Despite these promising prospects, challenges remain. The execution of the interconnector will require stringent environmental and social management protocols to mitigate potential disruptions to communities and ecosystems along the transmission corridor. Additionally, the long-term success of the project will depend on coordinated policy frameworks, investment in complementary grid infrastructure, and the establishment of robust power trading mechanisms.
Nevertheless, the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector represents a transformative initiative with the potential to reshape Africa’s energy landscape. By enhancing connectivity between key power markets, the project will facilitate economic integration, attract investment, and support the transition to a more sustainable energy future for Zambia and its regional partners.
