On Wednesday (11), Zambia’s Council of Ministers approved the development of two major cross-border gas pipelines, signaling a strategic shift to a multi-corridor supply model with the aim of ending the landlocked country’s dependence on a single import route.
The projects, which will be developed through public-private partnerships, include the Tanzania-Zambia Multi-Product Pipeline (TZMPP) and the Namibia-Zambia Petroleum and Natural Gas Pipeline (NZPGP).
The TZMPP will run parallel to the historic 1,710-kilometer TAZAMA pipeline, which has connected Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) to Ndola (Zambia) since 1968. While the existing infrastructure mainly transports diesel, the new project, valued at around US$2 billion, will transport gasoline, jet fuel, and kerosene.
The pipeline will have an estimated annual capacity of 7 million metric tons, well above Zambia’s projected consumption for 2030, estimated at 3.7 million metric tons.
The authorities have indicated that the project builds on the success of the TAZAMA Open Access Policy. Launched in April 2025, this policy has already reduced local fuel prices by around 33% by promoting greater competition among petroleum marketing companies.
To the west, the NZPGP will connect the Atlantic port of Walvis Bay in Namibia to the Zambian capital, Lusaka. This corridor is designed to transport refined fuels and around 350 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. The gas component will be specifically targeted at gas-fired power generation projects to support Zambia’s copper mining industry.
The connection with Namibia comes at a time when the country is approaching its “first oil” phase. French oil company TotalEnergies is expected to make a final investment decision on the Venus field by mid-2026, while Galp’s Mopane field, which has estimated reserves of 1.1 billion barrels, is starting a new evaluation campaign this year.
These approvals coincide with a wave of infrastructure development in the region. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline in Tanzania is 79% complete, while the Lobito Corridor is attracting billions of dollars in investment to connect the Copperbelt to Angola.
For Zambia, these pipelines represent more than just fuel transport infrastructure; they are the physical basis for energy independence. By connecting to both the Indian and Atlantic oceans, the country aims to secure a reliable and competitive supply chain for its expanding industrial sector.
Source: Energy Capital & Power
