An EU-funded electrification financing initiative is investing in solar home systems in Zambia for rural communities. EDFI ElectriFi said it is committing a $1.5 million convertible note in Vitralite Zambia, the pioneer of PayGO solar home systems distruibution in Zambia.

Providing commitments to develop Zambia’s energy infrastructure is not a matter of aid or charity. It has the potential to bring Zambia into the fold of the global economy—a process which adds value for Zambians and Zambia’s trade partners—and provide critical inputs to the global energy transition.

Kazang Solar, distribution partner of Azuri Technologies in Zambia, has been awarded $1.6 million from the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) to provide solar home lighting products to more than 7,000 off-grid customers in rural Zambia.

SafeWater, a strategic business unit within Grundfos (www.Grundfos.com), has announced that it is partnering with World Vision’s Zambia WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) programme to provide cost-effective SQFlex solar water pumps as an easy-to-use and sustainable alternative to traditional hand pumps in rural Zambia.

This follows the completion of feasibility studies which were undertaken by Generale Du Solaire to determine the scope of works needed to develop, construct and operate mini solar grids in Zambia.

The system is called “The African Solarbox” and consists of six solar panels and eight batteries. Together they supply a maximum of 10 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day. This is enough for lighting, a refrigerator with medicines, and maybe some smaller equipment. During the day, the solar panels provide power directly.

A lot. The projected 2,000 megawatts of electricity to the country upon the completion of the solar projects are expected to essentially reduce the country’s reliance on energy imports which is often an added fiscal pressure, especially during the power crisis.

RDG Collective was established with the ambition to ‘empower the future’ by developing and distributing innovative solar home systems (SHS) throughout Zambia, where an estimated 2.4 million households still lack access to electricity.

Finance Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane presents the 2023 national budget, the Solar Industry Association is calling on the New Dawn administration to remove taxes on solar batteries. In a statement, Solar Industry Association president Mwewa said despite government having removed duties on lithium batteries, 16 percent VAT is still expensive.