Zim-Zam Summit Returns as Zambia and Zimbabwe Seek Billions in Energy Investment

LIVINGSTONE, Zambia, October 22, 2026 — The Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit (Zim-Zam) will return to Livingstone from November 3 to 5 for its third edition, bringing together government officials, investors, financiers and energy developers to advance investment and project delivery in the two countries.

Organised by EnergyNet, the summit will be held at the Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya under the theme, “Celebrating How Zambia and Zimbabwe Have Unlocked FDI Through Connectivity, Credibility and Cooperation.”

The theme reflects developments since the inaugural summit in 2024, as both countries seek to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to strengthen electricity generation, expand transmission infrastructure and meet growing industrial demand for reliable power.

Copperbelt Energy Corporation financed the second phase of its Itimpi solar project through a green bond programme on local capital markets, while First Quantum Minerals is working with independent power producers to supply its Zambian mining operations.

Zimbabwe has also expanded opportunities for private-sector participation in electricity generation. ZESA Holdings reports that 635 megawatts (MW) of private generation capacity is under construction, with a further 730MW progressing towards financial close.

At this year’s summit, discussions will focus on moving projects from planning and financing towards construction and delivery. Key themes will include new generation capacity for mining and industry, transmission infrastructure and cross-border interconnectors linking the two countries to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

Projects expected to feature in discussions include Lumwana Super Pit, the Kansanshi S3 expansion, Chisamba Solar and Kariba Floating Solar. The programme will also feature project pipeline presentations from Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The summit will bring together senior government officials, including Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo; Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Dr Gilbert Siame; and Mulele Mulele, Permanent Secretary for Economic Management and Finance at Zambia’s Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

Other speakers include Arnold Simwamba, Permanent Secretary for Electricity at Zambia’s Ministry of Energy; Cornwell Muleya, chief executive officer of Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation; Cletus Nyachowe, group chief executive officer of ZESA Holdings; and Simbarashe Pasipamire, an electricity market analyst at SAPP.

Investment and private-sector participants will include Omar Jabri, Head of Business Development for Africa at the Private Infrastructure Development Group; Jason De Carteret, chief executive officer of Solarcentury Africa; Monie Captan, Deputy CEO for West Africa at Petrodex; and Sipho Phiri, Chairman of Kwama Energy and Executive Chairman of Western Power Company.

Their discussions will examine financing structures, investment partnerships and regulatory frameworks that could help move the next pipeline of energy projects towards financial close and construction.

Aleem Tharani, a partner at Bowmans, said regional interconnection and investor-friendly regulatory frameworks were helping drive investment in Southern Africa’s energy sector.

“Southern Africa is proving that interconnection through SAPP and a credible, investor-friendly regulatory environment translate directly into deal flow. Across the region, projects are reaching financial close, lenders are backing new offtake models and private capital is moving into transmission and trading. The Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit brings together the governments, utilities, financiers and developers behind that progress, giving us all the chance to celebrate what has been achieved and to plan for more of it. Bowmans is proud to sponsor the summit and to be alongside our clients making these transactions happen,” Tharani said.

Sherrill Byrne, Head of Project Finance in Energy and Infrastructure at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking, said regional integration was critical to unlocking Africa’s electricity and renewable-energy potential.

“Regional integration is essential to unlocking Africa’s full power and renewable-energy potential. Stronger cross-border transmission networks and coordinated markets will allow countries to share diverse energy resources and improve the region’s energy supply. This can in-turn attract long-term investment. This event has continued to enable meaningful engagement between public- and private-sector stakeholders who share our commitment to driving growth across Africa. By aligning regulation, planning and infrastructure development, we can accelerate the delivery of reliable, affordable and cleaner power to support inclusive economic growth,” Byrne said.

Abdoulaye Sylla, Group Deputy Director for Africa at EnergyNet, said Zambia and Zimbabwe were at a critical stage in their energy development, with regulatory reforms and diversification creating opportunities for private investment.

“Zambia and Zimbabwe are at a critical moment in their energy development. The urgent need to diversify away from climate-vulnerable hydro towards solar and hybrid solutions, combined with bold regulatory reforms in open access, wheeling and private sector participation, has positioned both countries as compelling investment destinations. Zim-Zam is about turning that momentum into action. We need to move beyond discussions to unlocking FDI, de-risking IPP frameworks and accelerating bankable projects and cross-border infrastructure. The opportunity is clear, but the priority now must be delivery,” Sylla said.

Copperbelt Energy Corporation joins the summit as Country Host, with Petrodex as Summit Sponsor. Bowmans and Standard Bank are Lead Sponsors, while Soleos is a Sponsor and Metmin and Modaso Energy are Associate Sponsors.

The summit comes as Zambia and Zimbabwe seek to build on recent energy-sector reforms and investment, with regional cooperation expected to play a key role in expanding electricity supply, strengthening cross-border trade and advancing projects towards implementation.