- The $292 million Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector (ZTIP) will strengthen electricity exchanges between Zambia and Tanzania, improving regional energy integration.
- The project will upgrade Zambia’s power grid with 330-kilovolt transmission lines, allowing greater integration of renewable energy and reducing reliance on hydropower.
- ZTIP will connect Zambia and Tanzania to larger regional power pools, boosting economic growth, lowering energy costs, and attracting more investments in the energy sector.
The Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector (ZTIP) project, worth $292 million, will enhance electricity exchanges between Zambia and Tanzania. This development marks a significant step toward improving energy integration across sub-Saharan Africa.
Around 570 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack electricity. The region’s outdated infrastructure, low investment, and poor energy policies have contributed to this gap. The ZTIP project, supported by international financiers including the World Bank, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the European Union (EU), and the International Development Association (IDA), aims to address these challenges.
The project will upgrade electrical transmission between the two countries. It will build 330-kilovolt transmission lines that will strengthen Zambia’s power grid. This upgrade will allow Zambia to integrate more renewable energy into its system and reduce the country’s reliance on hydropower, which is vulnerable to climate change.
The ZTIP project will contribute to regional energy cooperation. It will connect Zambia and Tanzania to larger power pools, such as the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP). These interconnected networks will span Cape Town to Cairo, creating the world’s largest geographical energy market. The network will facilitate power exchanges across multiple countries in the region.
The project will bring significant economic benefits. With more reliable and diverse energy access, countries in the region will experience lower energy costs and, more importantly, economic growth. Reliable electricity will also encourage the development of new industries. Additionally, transmission infrastructure investments will attract more energy sector funding.
The ZTIP project aligns with Africa’s strategy to diversify energy sources. While hydropower remains a significant energy source in the region, solar, wind, and geothermal power hold considerable potential. These renewable sources will improve energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The ZTIP project can serve as a model for other regional energy initiatives. Since 1995, Africa has worked to develop energy pools for cross-border electricity exchanges. Projects like ZTIP will strengthen these initiatives and help create a more connected, energy-secure Africa.
The ZTIP project represents a key development in Africa’s energy integration efforts. Improving transmission infrastructure and supporting renewable energy will lower energy costs and increase electricity access. This project will also attract further investment in the energy sector, supporting economic growth. As Africa diversifies its energy sources, the ZTIP project will offer a model for future initiatives that improve electricity access and integration across the continent.