World Bank Invests $43 Million to Bridge Zambia-Malawi Power Grids

The project serves as a safeguard against the climate-driven volatility that crippled regional power systems in 2024. By moving away from a reliance on localized hydropower, the new 400-kilovolt infrastructure allows both countries to tap into the Southern African Power Pool, facilitating a more resilient and diversified energy market. This initiative aligns with Mission 300, an ambitious joint venture by the World Bank and the African Development Bank to bring electricity to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.

Martine Valcin, the World Bank’s Country Manager for Zambia, framed the investment as a strategic move to insulate the local economy from future generation shortages. Beyond the immediate infrastructure build, the interconnector functions as a pillar of the RETRADE-SA program, which seeks to harmonize regional energy trade. By connecting these grids, the project aims to lower costs and foster consistent industrial productivity in a region where energy resources remain vast but geographically isolated.