By Abdullahi Lukman
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $14.54 million financing package to support the 20-megawatt Garneton North Solar Project in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province, marking a major step toward the country’s renewable energy ambitions and efforts to close its electricity supply gap.
Once operational, the solar plant will deliver clean, reliable electricity to around 82,000 people while cutting 58,740 tons of CO₂ emissions each year.
The AfDB’s financing includes $7.27 million from its own resources, matched by concessional funding from a Development Finance Institution, underscoring the Bank’s commitment to achieving Mission 300—its initiative to provide 300 million Africans with electricity by 2030.
Zambia was among the first countries to launch a national energy compact under Mission 300 in January 2025.
With a total project cost of $24.5 million, Garneton North will design, build, operate, and maintain the solar facility, which will connect to the national grid through a 10-kilometre, 33 kV transmission line.
Under a 25-year take-or-pay Power Purchase Agreement, the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) will purchase all the electricity generated.
“This project marks a key milestone in restoring confidence in Zambia’s power sector, attracting private investment, and accelerating progress toward Mission 300 goals,” said Wale Shonibare, AfDB’s Director of Energy Financial Solutions, Policy, and Regulation.
Garneton North is one of six projects selected under Zambia’s Global Energy Transfer Feed-in Tariffs (GETFiT) programme, which aims to mobilize private-sector investment in small and medium-scale renewable energy projects.
During construction, the project will create 90 jobs, including positions for 5 women and 50 youth, and employ 10 staff during operations.
The added generation capacity is expected to ease pressure on Zambia’s grid, reduce blackouts, and strengthen energy security.
The GETFiT programme will ultimately support 120 MW of renewable capacity, helping diversify Zambia’s energy mix and demonstrate that the country’s power sector is once again viable for private investment.
“Through this project and the wider GETFiT programme, Zambia reaffirms its commitment to diversifying away from hydropower and ensuring energy security,” said Jing Li, Division Manager for Energy Financial Solutions at AfDB.
“By expanding renewable generation, Zambia can reduce power outages, improve reliability, and maintain cost-reflective tariffs.”
The Garneton North Solar Project aligns with the AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033) and New Deal on Energy for Africa, supporting low-carbon development, climate resilience, gender inclusion, and youth employment while advancing universal access to clean electricity.