World Bank Backs Zambia-Malawi Power Corridor

The grant facilitates the construction of a 400-kilovolt line designed to mitigate the volatility of domestic grids. For Zambia, the project offers a buffer against the energy crises prompted by recent droughts, which severely hampered its hydropower-dependent system throughout 2024. By diversifying import and export routes, both countries gain the flexibility to trade electricity, effectively bypassing local generation shortages.

Beyond immediate supply stability, the initiative aligns with the Mission 300 campaign—a joint World Bank and African Development Bank effort targeting electricity access for 300 million people across Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. This connection serves as a practical mechanism for the Southern African Power Pool, allowing surplus energy to flow toward markets with higher demand. As regional grids harden their interdependencies, the project provides a blueprint for integrating clean energy resources and insulating business sectors from the climate-related shocks that frequently disrupt regional productivity.