from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – SOUTHERN Africa’s deepening energy crisis has once again brought renewed calls for governments in the region to emulate Ethiopia’s bold investments in large-scale power infrastructure to secure reliable electricity supply, industrial growth, and job creation.
The appeal comes amid worsening power shortages across Zambia, where rolling blackouts have become a daily reality.
Prominent Zambian activist, Joseph Kalimbwe, lamented that his country now endures as little as three hours of electricity per day, a situation he described as catastrophic for economic productivity and citizens’ livelihoods.
“Zambia is the only country in SADC with just three hours of electricity in a day. Advising people to buy solar is a stopgap measure — like telling locals to buy helicopters to fly over damaged roads. No economy can survive on three hours of electricity out of 24. For decades, we have never fixed it,” Kalimbwe said.
He further highlighted that Zambia has failed to match the scale of historic energy projects, noting that the Kariba Dam — commissioned in 1959 under colonial rule — remains the country’s largest hydropower project more than 60 years later.
“The Kariba Dam was built in 1959. Since independence, we have never built anything of similar magnitude. Telling citizens to buy solar is a political bandage, not a permanent solution,” Kalimbwe added.
Regional Comparisons and Proposals
The energy crisis is not unique to Zambia. Several Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries are battling rolling blackouts due to aging infrastructure, poor investment, and rising demand.
Zimbabwe, for instance, continues to face persistent power shortages, although authorities recently increased supply through a mix of coal and solar projects.
Commentators across the region have called for bolder, long-term solutions.
Admire Taguma Musingarabwi urged Zambia and Zimbabwe to urgently mobilize funds for the long-delayed Batoka Gorge Hydropower Plant, a $5 billion joint project expected to generate 2,400 megawatts once completed.
Others stressed diversification. “You need to diversify your power mix. Burn coal. Push for Batoka Gorge,” wrote @admusinga on social media.
Isaac Jonas, commenting from Canada, contrasted Africa’s power crisis with more reliable electricity supply in developed economies: “In Canada, I experienced not more than three power cuts in ten years, each restored in under two hours. How can African leaders be taken seriously at global forums if they underinvest in such critical infrastructure?”
Broader Criticism of Leadership
For many, Africa’s energy woes symbolize a broader failure of ambition among political elites.
Amukelani Moyani argued: “African leaders are not ambitious. That is why poverty is spreading in South Africa and Nigeria. Arabs are ambitious — that’s why the UAE (United Arab Emirates), Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are developing at breakneck speed.”
Other voices pointed to alternative energy pathways.
Lovemore Khumalo Sicwebu suggested nuclear power as a viable solution, accusing politicians of profiting from the shortages.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean commentator Anne Moyo noted: “While you (Zambia) laughed at our load shedding, our government was improving electricity provision. Now we have a mix of coal and solar and at least 22 hours of power daily.”
Ethiopia’s Example
Ethiopia’s success with the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) looms large in these discussions.
Despite international criticism and financial challenges, Ethiopia completed Africa’s largest hydropower dam using largely domestic funding.
The project is now a symbol of self-reliance and strategic vision in addressing Africa’s chronic energy shortfalls.
As Southern Africa struggles with crippling load-shedding, activists, experts, and citizens are increasingly united in their message: without bold investment in large-scale, diversified energy projects, the region risks stalling industrialization, deepening poverty, and losing competitiveness on the global stage.
— CAJ News