Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 26th April 2025.
London, United Kingdom.
Zambia’s Minister of Energy, Hon. Makozo Chikote, has urged the international community to forge stronger partnerships aimed at strengthening clean energy supply chains, emphasizing the need for practical collaboration to tackle global energy challenges.
Speaking at the Ministerial Breakfast Roundtable on Clean Energy Supply Chains during the Summit on the Future of Energy Security, Hon. Chikote stressed the urgent need for collective action. The session focused on bolstering energy security through investments in renewable technologies, resilient critical mineral supply chains, and multilateral cooperation.
Highlighting Zambia’s vulnerabilities, Hon. Chikote pointed out the heavy reliance on hydropower, which constitutes 85 percent of the nation’s electricity generation. He warned that climate change-induced droughts had severely depleted reservoir levels, resulting in extensive load-shedding and economic disruptions. “Our dependence on hydropower exposed us to the harsh realities of climate change. It is a lesson we have taken seriously,” he stated.
As one of the world’s major copper producers, Zambia’s economic ambitions have been hampered by inadequate energy supply. Hon. Chikote emphasized that without reliable and diversified power sources, increasing mining production remains a challenge. He noted that Zambia’s abundance of critical minerals such as cobalt and lithium places the country in a strategic position to contribute meaningfully to the global clean energy transition.
“Zambia stands ready to be a key player in global clean energy solutions. Our critical mineral wealth is vital for the technologies driving the clean energy revolution. We must ensure that supply chains are not only efficient but also inclusive of resource-rich nations like ours,” Hon. Chikote said.
He outlined Zambia’s commitment to diversifying its energy mix, particularly through the promotion of solar energy, and announced progress on a regional power interconnection project with Tanzania and Kenya aimed at strengthening energy security across East and Southern Africa.
Calling for action beyond dialogue, Hon. Chikote challenged stakeholders to move past rhetoric towards tangible investment and development initiatives. He underscored that public-private partnerships were essential for driving sustainable economic growth and accelerating energy access.
On the sidelines of the summit, Hon. Chikote held bilateral talks with International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol, who pledged the IEA’s support in mobilizing financing and connecting Zambia with key international investors to advance its clean energy ambitions.
The Minister was accompanied at the summit by Mr. Mwape Chipala, Director of Planning and Information, and Mr. Allan Mtonga, Senior Financial Analyst – Petroleum.
The Agency.