"The GOAT Media Centre"

Zambia Backs $5 Billion Regional Drive to Expand Clean Energy Access By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 (22 September 2025) – Zambia has pledged its full commitment to the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) programme, a $5 billion initiative led by COMESA and the World Bank to electrify 100 million people across Eastern and Southern Africa by 2030. Energy Minister Makozo Chikote, speaking at the official opening of ASCENT Week at Ciela Resort in Lusaka, described the programme as a decisive step toward addressing energy poverty and promoting sustainable development across the region.  “If we are to achieve universal energy access, we must work together to reduce the cost of clean energy technologies. Let us make clean energy not just available, but accessible,” Chikote told delegates. He highlighted that Zambia’s electricity demand has grown over 6% annually, with installed generation capacity rising from 2,400 MW in 2015 to 3,873.8 MW today...

Dr. Malama says COMESA programme targets electricity and clean cooking across Eastern and Southern Africa By Francis Maingaila, Lusaka, Zambia24 — (18 September 2025) - The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) says its Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) programme aims to provide electricity to 100 million people and clean cooking solutions to 20 million households across more than 20 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. ASCENT Project Coordinator Dr. Malama Chileshe said the initiative, which started with seed funding from the Indian government, is now expected to raise an additional 10 billion US dollars from private sector partners and financial institutions. “The ambition is significant. Connecting 100 million people to electricity and delivering clean cooking solutions requires substantial effort and coordination,” Dr. Chileshe said. He explained that a Regional Energy Access Platform has been created to help countries im...