Zambia’s Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has approved 24 licences alongside seven construction permits in a move aimed at strengthening energy service delivery and reinforcing investor confidence in the country’s liberalised energy market.
According to ERB spokesperson Namukolo Kasumpa, the latest approvals highlight the effectiveness of Zambia’s regulatory framework in attracting compliant and sustainable investments across the energy sector. The licences and permits represent investment commitments exceeding 1.1 billion Kwacha (approximately US $56.3M). Among these are nine licences covering the manufacture, supply, installation, and maintenance of renewable energy equipment, reflecting sustained momentum in Zambia’s growing clean energy segment.
READ: Morocco launches Noor Atlas solar programme
Energy industry
To support fuel distribution, the ERB has also licensed 80 petroleum tankers, a step expected to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the national fuel supply chain. In the downstream sector, seven construction permits were issued for new retail fuel stations, while four newly completed stations have already been commissioned.
Zambia’s energy industry has undergone gradual liberalisation over the past two decades, opening the door to private sector participation in electricity generation, fuel distribution, and renewable energy development. These reforms have been aimed at boosting competition, attracting capital, and easing the burden on state-owned utilities. The latest approvals come as Zambia continues efforts to diversify its energy mix, tackle supply challenges, and draw further investment into both petroleum and renewable energy infrastructure.
