The visit aimed to assess Zambia's power sector and explore investment opportunities

Executive Chairman of Sunon Asogli Power Ghana, Togbe Afede XIV, led a high-powered delegation on a two-day exploratory visit to Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, as part of the company’s broader strategy to contribute sustainable solutions to the country’s energy challenges.

The visit aimed to assess Zambia’s power sector and explore investment opportunities that would help address the nation's electricity generation shortfalls.

With a population of over 21 million, Zambia has suffered severe power disruptions in recent years due to prolonged droughts and climate change effects, which have adversely impacted its heavily hydro-dependent energy system.

Togbe and his delegation held extensive meetings with top management of ZESCO, Zambia’s state-owned electricity company, as well as senior government officials including the Minister of Energy, Hon. Makozo Chikote, and the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Chipoka Mulenga.

ZESCO Managing Director, Eng. Justin C. Loong, noted that the utility currently derives 99% of its energy from hydropower, making diversification not only a goal but a necessity.

He emphasised ZESCO’s openness to private sector collaboration as it seeks to increase the share of renewable energy in its generation mix to 30%. However, he also acknowledged that recent power purchase agreements (PPAs) with private companies have seen a low success rate.

During engagements with ZESCO and the Ministry of Energy, Togbe Afede shared Ghana’s experience and Sunon Asogli’s contribution to stabilizing the country's energy sector.

He recounted how the 200MW Phase I of Sunon Asogli’s thermal plant was rapidly executed in Ghana and urged Zambia to adopt a forward-looking strategy in tackling its energy crisis, drawing parallels between Zambia’s current situation and Ghana’s pre-Asogli power sector, which suffered from similar overdependence on hydroelectric power.

Minister Chikote welcomed Togbe’s insights and expressed strong interest in partnering with Sunon Asogli Power to meet the Zambian President’s directive to integrate 1,000MW of solar power into the national grid by the end of 2025.

Togbe Afede presented an update on Sunon Asogli’s growing energy portfolio, which currently includes 560MW of installed capacity in Ghana. The company is set to add 800MW in Phase III, combining wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) power, and plans to begin power exports to Burkina Faso later this month. Additionally, Sunon Asogli is preparing to construct a 350MW combined-cycle thermal power plant in Cameroon.

Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting energy investments that align with Zambia’s industrial ambitions.

He noted that increasing electricity generation is essential for expanding the country’s copper production, which the government aims to raise to 3 million tonnes annually, as well as boosting agricultural productivity.

The delegation also visited the Lusaka office of the China Africa Development Fund (CADFund), a key partner in both Africa World Airlines (AWA) and Sunon Asogli Power.

Togbe Afede highlighted the company’s strong interest in Zambia’s power sector and shared AWA’s plans to extend its flight routes to the Sahel region.

The expansion aims to enhance regional integration and support the reintegration of Sahel countries into ECOWAS.

He further discussed potential investment opportunities in South Africa, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo with CADFund executives.