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EXCLUSIVE: Zambia’s IDC moves Chisamba Solar towards financial close

26th October, 2026 · Updated: 21st October, 2026

Zambia’s power reforms win a second term

With the re-election of Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema to a second five-year term in August this year, investors and private power developers are hoping that the early optimism generated by the country’s National Energy Compact will be justified by second-term progress on tariff reform, open access to transmission and distribution for private developers and simplified licensing for private power projects.

Kong Solaire signs 20-year FMO financing for 50MWp of solar in northern Côte d’Ivoire

FMO is providing all the long-term debt for Kong Solaire, a 50MWp plant near Kong in northern Côte d’Ivoire developed by Africa Via, in which AXIAN holds a majority, and PIDG’s InfraCo. Construction is under way, with commissioning planned for 2028 and power sold to CI-ENERGIES for 25 years.

Oyo gets 17.7MW of interconnected mini-grids as Tegbe rules out a tariff rise

Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has flagged off five interconnected hybrid solar mini-grids totalling 17.7MW across five local government areas of Oyo State. They are financed by the World Bank and developed by Paras Energy, and Tegbe told Nigerians there is no plan to raise electricity tariffs.

Nigeria NOW! 19 – 20 November 2026

Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit 3 – 5 November 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Zambia’s IDC moves Chisamba Solar towards financial close

Cornwell Muleya, Chief Executive of Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation, tells ENN how the IDC is moving Chisamba Solar and the rest of its renewable pipeline towards financial close, and why he expects power supply to grow in step with demand from the mines as Zambia works towards three million tonnes of copper a year by 2031.

Zambia’s power reforms win a second term

With the re-election of Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema to a second five-year term in August this year, investors and private power developers are hoping that the early optimism generated by the country’s National Energy Compact will be justified by second-term progress on tariff reform, open access to transmission and distribution for private developers and simplified licensing for private power projects.

Kong Solaire signs 20-year FMO financing for 50MWp of solar in northern Côte d’Ivoire

FMO is providing all the long-term debt for Kong Solaire, a 50MWp plant near Kong in northern Côte d’Ivoire developed by Africa Via, in which AXIAN holds a majority, and PIDG’s InfraCo. Construction is under way, with commissioning planned for 2028 and power sold to CI-ENERGIES for 25 years.

Oyo gets 17.7MW of interconnected mini-grids as Tegbe rules out a tariff rise

Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has flagged off five interconnected hybrid solar mini-grids totalling 17.7MW across five local government areas of Oyo State. They are financed by the World Bank and developed by Paras Energy, and Tegbe told Nigerians there is no plan to raise electricity tariffs.

Mailo solar plant in Zambia reaches 59.5MWp as its second phase starts operating

Solarcentury Africa has started full commercial operation of the second phase of its Mailo solar plant in Zambia’s Chitambo district, adding 34.5MWp to take the site to 59.5MWp. The first phase has sold its power on a fully merchant basis through the Southern African Power Pool since July 2025.

Southern Africa

Block 3B/4B clears its appeals as TotalEnergies presses for the rest of the Orange Basin

South Africa’s environment minister has dismissed all appeals against exploration in TotalEnergies-operated Block 3B/4B, clearing the way for up to five wells off the West Coast. Two days later in Cape Town, Magali Pailhé of TotalEnergies EP South Africa asked government to resolve the appeals still holding back its other blocks.

Three Zambia solar plants totalling 320MW are due before the year ends

Zambia’s Ministry of Energy expects to commission 320MW of solar before the end of 2026, the largest share from a 120MW plant in Mumbwa. Bob Sianjalika, its Principal Public Relations Officer, told ZANIS that applications from independent power producers are still arriving, some with ZESCO power purchase agreements signed.

In Tallasse, groundnut oil presses run on solar after 17 years without power

A 1MW solar mini-grid with 2.4MWh of battery storage now serves 6,028 connections in Tallasse, Gombe State, ending what the Ministry of Power describes as a 17-year blackout. The REA has also started building a 16MW network of four interconnected mini-grids across the state.

How many hours of power does a hospital need? DRC evidence says 22

Health facilities in three provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with power sufficient to run everything they needed, available for at least 22 hours a day, had inpatient mortality about 41% lower than those without, according to a study of 303 facilities in PNAS. Its authors want reliability targets tied to patient outcomes.

Renewable Energy

Tunisia’s 2027 budget opens 1,100MW of solar and wind to foreign investors

Tunisia’s 2027 Finance Bill sets out 1,600MW of new solar, wind, and storage capacity to raise renewable electricity generation from 12% to 16%. International investors will bid for 1,100MW under concession and licensing rounds, anchored by a 300MW solar and battery plant in Kebili, alongside 500MW of self-generation.

Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit 3 – 5 November 2026

Nigeria NOW! 19 – 20 November 2026

Play daily puzzles on ENN 1 January – 31 December 2026

Africa Energy Forum (aef) 2026 Opening Ceremony

Africa Energy Forum (aef) 2026 Opening Ceremony

Youth Energy Summit (YES!) Opening Ceremony 2026

Youth Energy Summit (YES!) Opening Ceremony 2026

Sarah Lane, Denham Capital | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Sarah Lane, Denham Capital | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Eunice Biritwum, Energy Commission | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Eunice Biritwum, Energy Commission | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Carl Tricoli, Managing Partner, Denham Capital | Powering Africa Summit 2026

Carl Tricoli, Managing Partner, Denham Capital | Powering Africa Summit 2026

Adam Cortese, CEO, Sun Africa | Powering Africa Summit 2026

Adam Cortese, CEO, Sun Africa | Powering Africa Summit 2026

What Will It Take to Finance Africa’s Industrial Future?

Can Zambia Build Power Fast Enough for Its Next Wave of Industrial Growth?

Are Africa’s Frontier Markets Being Mispriced by Investors?

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All the latest articles

EXCLUSIVE: Zambia’s IDC moves Chisamba Solar towards financial close

Cornwell Muleya, Chief Executive of Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation, tells ENN how the IDC is moving Chisamba Solar and the rest of its renewable pipeline towards financial close, and why he expects power supply to grow in step with demand from the mines as Zambia works towards three million tonnes of copper a year by 2031.

Zambia’s power reforms win a second term

With the re-election of Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema to a second five-year term in August this year, investors and private power developers are hoping that the early optimism generated by the country’s National Energy Compact will be justified by second-term progress on tariff reform, open access to transmission and distribution for private developers and simplified licensing for private power projects.

Kong Solaire signs 20-year FMO financing for 50MWp of solar in northern Côte d’Ivoire

FMO is providing all the long-term debt for Kong Solaire, a 50MWp plant near Kong in northern Côte d’Ivoire developed by Africa Via, in which AXIAN holds a majority, and PIDG’s InfraCo. Construction is under way, with commissioning planned for 2028 and power sold to CI-ENERGIES for 25 years.

Oyo gets 17.7MW of interconnected mini-grids as Tegbe rules out a tariff rise

Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has flagged off five interconnected hybrid solar mini-grids totalling 17.7MW across five local government areas of Oyo State. They are financed by the World Bank and developed by Paras Energy, and Tegbe told Nigerians there is no plan to raise electricity tariffs.

Mailo solar plant in Zambia reaches 59.5MWp as its second phase starts operating

Solarcentury Africa has started full commercial operation of the second phase of its Mailo solar plant in Zambia’s Chitambo district, adding 34.5MWp to take the site to 59.5MWp. The first phase has sold its power on a fully merchant basis through the Southern African Power Pool since July 2025.

Southern Africa

Block 3B/4B clears its appeals as TotalEnergies presses for the rest of the Orange Basin

South Africa’s environment minister has dismissed all appeals against exploration in TotalEnergies-operated Block 3B/4B, clearing the way for up to five wells off the West Coast. Two days later in Cape Town, Magali Pailhé of TotalEnergies EP South Africa asked government to resolve the appeals still holding back its other blocks.

Three Zambia solar plants totalling 320MW are due before the year ends

Zambia’s Ministry of Energy expects to commission 320MW of solar before the end of 2026, the largest share from a 120MW plant in Mumbwa. Bob Sianjalika, its Principal Public Relations Officer, told ZANIS that applications from independent power producers are still arriving, some with ZESCO power purchase agreements signed.

In Tallasse, groundnut oil presses run on solar after 17 years without power

A 1MW solar mini-grid with 2.4MWh of battery storage now serves 6,028 connections in Tallasse, Gombe State, ending what the Ministry of Power describes as a 17-year blackout. The REA has also started building a 16MW network of four interconnected mini-grids across the state.

Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit 3 – 5 November 2026

Nigeria NOW! 19 – 20 November 2026

Play daily puzzles on ENN 1 January – 31 December 2026