The African Development Bank’s Board of Directors approved a $14.54 million financing package to support the Garneton North 20 MW solar project in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province. This funding aims to accelerate the country’s renewable energy growth and help address its energy deficit.
Once operational, the solar project will supply clean, reliable electricity to 82,000 people and cut 58,740 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.
The financing includes $7.27 million from the African Development Bank’s own resources, matched by concessional funds from a Development Finance Institution. This commitment highlights strong support for closing Zambia’s energy gap and advancing Mission 300, which seeks to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Zambia was among the first countries to launch national energy compacts under Mission 300 in January 2025.
The $24.5 million project will design, build, operate, and maintain a 20 MW solar plant, connecting it to the national grid through a 10km, 33kV power line.
Under a 25-year take-or-pay Power Purchase Agreement, Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited will purchase all the electricity the plant generates.
Wale Shonibare, AfDB Director of Energy Financial Solutions, Policy, and Regulation, said the project represents an important milestone for Zambia. It will restore confidence in the power sector, attract private investment, and support efforts to close the energy gap while advancing Mission 300 goals.
The Garneton North 20MW Solar Project is one of six projects chosen by the Zambian government under its Global Energy Transfer Feed-in Tariffs (GETFiT) program. This initiative aims to unlock private investment in small- and medium-scale renewable energy projects in the country.
During construction, the plant will employ 90 people, including five women and 50 youth. It will hire 10 staff for operations, including two women and six youth. The project will strengthen Zambia’s power grid, reduce blackouts, and improve energy security.
The GETFiT program will enable the procurement of 120MW of renewable energy capacity, diversify Zambia’s energy mix, and show that the country’s power sector is attractive for private investors once again.
Jing Li, Division Manager, Energy Financial Solutions at AfDB, said the project and broader program demonstrate Zambia’s commitment to moving beyond hydropower and improving energy security.
Expanding renewable energy capacity will reduce the frequency and severity of power outages, provide more reliable electricity, and help maintain cost-reflective tariffs for consumers.
The African Development Bank stated that the Garneton North 20MW Solar Project supports its Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033) and the New Deal on Energy for Africa. The project promotes low-carbon development and universal access to electricity through clean energy.
It also advances the Bank’s climate change, gender, youth employment, and resilience strategies, while fostering private-sector-led renewable energy development under Mission 300.
source; www.esi-africa.com
African Energy Council