FROM 10,000MW TO ELECTRIC TRUCKS: ZAMBIA'S NEW INDUSTRIAL AMBITION

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA – Zambia's ambition to become a regional industrial and logistics powerhouse is increasingly being defined by two major economic priorities: securing reliable electricity and transforming the way goods are transported.

From a US$12 billion investment requirement to expand electricity generation and infrastructure to the introduction of fully electric commercial trucks, the country is positioning itself for an industrial transition that could reshape its mining, agriculture, construction and transport sectors.

At the centre of this ambition is the Government's target of increasing electricity generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts by 2031, a goal that reflects the growing recognition that energy is not simply a utility but the foundation of economic production.

However, as Zambia pursues this target, the introduction of electric commercial vehicles by Pilatus Engineering Company Limited, in partnership with international manufacturer SANY, presents another dimension of the country's economic transformation.

This follows at the second edition of the PowerElect Zambia International Exhibition and Conference in Lusaka, where Ministry of Energy Director Raphael Zimba provided an indication of the scale of investment required to realise the country's ambitions.

And representing the Permanent Secretary for Electricity, Mr Zimba said Zambia would need approximately US$12 billion across the entire energy value chain to achieve its 10,000MW electricity generation target.

He said the country was moving from economic stabilisation towards accelerated growth under the Government's Grow Zambia Agenda.

According to Mr Zimba, electricity generation capacity had increased from approximately 3,777MW in 2025 to about 4,777MW, representing progress towards the national target.

"We have increased our generation capacity from about 3,777 in 2025 to currently at about 4,777, so that is how we are approaching towards our 10,000 megawatts target, and we believe that it is achievable," he said.

But achieving 10,000MW will require more than constructing additional power plants. Zambia must also strengthen transmission and distribution networks to ensure that electricity reaches industries, businesses and communities efficiently.

Mr Zimba therefore called on local and international investors to explore opportunities in power generation, transmission and distribution.

He said the anticipated growth in mining and agriculture would create additional demand for electricity, providing a strong investment case for the sector.

The Government's production ambitions include 10 million tonnes of maize, three million tonnes of copper, three million tonnes of soya beans, one million tonnes of wheat and one million tonnes of sugar.

For Zambia, therefore, the 10,000MW ambition is closely connected to the broader objective of increasing production, creating employment and strengthening the country's position in regional and international markets.

For decades, the country's electricity system has relied heavily on hydropower. However, climate variability and changing weather patterns have demonstrated the risks associated with dependence on a single major energy source.

ZARENA Board Member Dr Chilala Kakoma Bowa said Zambia had entered a period of technological transformation requiring innovation beyond conventional hydropower generation.

She called for hybrid energy systems, decentralised generation and digital integration, including utility-scale solar photovoltaic installations supported by long-duration battery energy storage systems.

"Transitioning our power system is no longer a theoretical debate, it is an engineering and economic imperative," Dr Bowa said.

Her concerns reflect the growing importance of building a power system capable of responding to changing climatic conditions while meeting increasing electricity demand.

As Zambia seeks to strengthen its electricity infrastructure, the transport industry is also beginning to embrace technologies that could change how commercial businesses operate.

To this end Pilatus Engineering Company Limited has introduced SANY's diesel-powered and fully electric commercial trucks to the Zambian market, expanding the options available to businesses in mining, construction, agriculture and logistics.

Speaking at the launch, Infrastructure and Urban Development Minister Collins Nzovu said the introduction of the trucks was consistent with the Government's Grow Zambia Agenda.

He said Zambia's ambitions to produce 10 million tonnes of maize and three million tonnes of copper depended on reliable transportation systems capable of moving commodities to local and international markets.

With the country sharing borders with eight nations, Mr Nzovu said Zambia had an opportunity to become a major regional logistics and transport hub.

He identified infrastructure projects such as the Lobito Corridor as important in improving regional connectivity and opening up trade opportunities.

The Minister also encouraged the adoption of electric vehicles, saying Government was promoting cleaner transportation and had directed public institutions to consider electric vehicles in their procurement plans.

Information presented at the launch indicated that some SANY electric trucks could achieve driving ranges of up to 800 kilometres and featured rapid-charging technology.

And Pilatus Managing Director Angelika Huwiler Andersen said the company was investing in technical training, after-sales services and spare-parts availability to support customers.

She disclosed that Pilatus planned to establish a workshop in 2027, alongside a diesel laboratory and a satellite workshop on the Copperbelt.

These investments are expected to strengthen local technical support and provide the infrastructure necessary to encourage businesses to consider electric commercial vehicles. The system allows a depleted battery to be exchanged for a fully charged one at a compatible station, reducing the time vehicles spend waiting for conventional charging.

Six models were introduced to the Zambian market, including two diesel tractor heads, a heavy commercial electric truck, a light electric truck, a diesel dump truck and an electric dump truck.

Ms Andersen said SANY had deployed approximately 45,000 electric heavy trucks across 50 countries and regions.

She also cited the manufacturer's Guinness World Record distance of 817.5 kilometres achieved by a loaded electric truck as an indication of its technological capabilities.

For local transport operators, the availability of electric trucks could offer an opportunity to reconsider conventional fleet operations, although the commercial benefits will depend on vehicle prices, financing costs, electricity tariffs, charging availability and maintenance arrangements.

Meawhile Pilatus General Manager for SANY Trucks Faisal Nanavat said the company had signed Memoranda of Understanding with commercial banks operating Vehicle and Asset Finance divisions to help prospective customers access financing.

A representative of Skylark disclosed that the company was considering purchasing 10 SANY trucks as part of its fleet expansion plans while exploring a driver ownership scheme with BHL.

The country cannot achieve its industrial production targets without reliable electricity, just as increased production cannot deliver its full economic value without efficient transportation and logistics systems.

The proposed US$12 billion investment in the energy value chain and the introduction of electric commercial vehicles therefore represent complementary opportunities in the country's development journey.

However, the transition will require more than ambitious targets and technology launches. It will depend on actual investment, reliable infrastructure, affordable financing, technical skills and policies that encourage private-sector participation.

For electric mobility to become commercially viable, Zambia must also ensure that electricity supply is dependable and that charging and battery-swapping infrastructure develops alongside the growth of electric vehicle fleets.

Similarly, expanding electricity generation must be matched by investments in transmission, distribution and energy storage to ensure that increased capacity translates into reliable power for productive sectors.

For Zambia, the journey from 4,777MW towards 10,000MW is therefore about more than electricity generation. It is about building the foundation for a productive economy. And as electric trucks begin entering the country's commercial transport market, a new chapter is emerging in the relationship between energy, technology and industrial development.