On Wednesday (19), Mozambique and Zambia signed an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding for the interconnection of the two countries’ energy systems, building a 376 kilometre electricity transmission line, with an investment of 411.5 million dollars, through the companies Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) and its Zambian counterpart, ZESCO (Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation).
According to the Mozambican Information Agency (AIM), EDM said in a statement that the memorandum was signed by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, António Manda, on behalf of the Mozambican government, and by Zambia’s energy minister, Makoze Chikote.
For Mr Manda, the signing of this memorandum of understanding ‘is testimony to the shared vision of a stronger, more interconnected and more secure region from an energy point of view’.
According to EDM, the project ‘aims not only to increase electricity supply capacity between the two countries, but also to strengthen Mozambique’s position as a relevant player in the regional energy market. The interconnection will facilitate energy exchange, promoting trade with other members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and generating additional revenue for the country.’
On the occasion, the agreement between the respective electricity companies was also signed and initialled by the Chairman of the Board of EDM, Joaquim Ou-chim, and the CEO of ZESCO, Justin Loongo.
This instrument establishes the framework for the development of the Power Systems Interconnection Project between Mozambique and Zambia, through a 400 kilovolt power transmission line that will stretch for approximately 376 kilometres, linking the Mozambican substation of Matambo to the Zambian substation of Chipata West.
Ou-chim emphasised at the time that this act marks the transition from planning to execution of this long-awaited project: ‘In the current global energy scenario, regional cooperation is no longer an option, but a necessity. As Africa moves towards greater energy integration, projects like this pave the way for a more interconnected and self-sufficient continent.’
Called the Mozambique-Zambia Regional Interconnection (MOZA), the project has already had its Technical-Economic Feasibility Study completed, and the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment has been approved by funding institutions such as the African Development Bank and the World Bank, EDM guarantees.
The company recalls that the energy partnership between the two countries has been strengthened over the years, with ‘almost 60 per cent of the total volume of exports’ from the Mozambican energy sector going to the Zambian market in 2024.
