This round of funding will stimulate and incentivize end-use demand for energy supplied by 43 existing and new mini-grids across Zambia, bringing reliable and affordable energy to underserved areas. Photo-Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL),
Zambia has taken a major step toward expanding rural energy access by awarding over US$1.1 million to three private companies under the Zambia Energy Demand Stimulation Incentive (ZEDSI) programme.
The funding supports the development of 43 solar-powered mini-grids, aimed at delivering reliable, clean electricity to underserved communities.
The initiative, led by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) with backing from The Rockefeller Foundation and implemented through the United Nations Office for Project Services, marks the first private-sector agreements under ZEDSI.
OnePower Zambia, Renwasol/Solar23, and Engie Energy Access Zambia are the recipients of the initial funding.
The funds will help bring power to more than 7,000 people and contribute to Zambia’s broader goal of achieving universal energy access by 2030.
“This milestone in Zambia represents the power of African-led innovation,” said William Asiko, Vice President and Head of The Rockefeller Foundation’s Africa Regional Office.
“When tailored solutions and strong local partnerships meet country-specific realities, we can make progress that can and should be replicated across the continent.”
Zambia’s rural electrification rate stands at just 34%, with many areas still far below that figure.
ZEDSI aims to reverse that trend by offering performance-based grants that encourage developers to not only build mini-grids but also stimulate energy use among local businesses and institutions.
Grants are linked to actual electricity consumption, making long-term sustainability central to the programme.
“Our government is laser-focused on delivering electricity to all Zambians. Clean, affordable, and reliable power is not a luxury—it’s a right,” said Alex Mbumba, Acting CEO of the Rural Electrification Authority.
Developers are incentivized to deploy productive-use appliances such as irrigation pumps, milling machines, and refrigeration units to increase demand and boost local livelihoods.
The initiative is part of a broader pipeline to develop 100 mini-grids, expected to benefit up to 100,000 people.
“The private sector is essential not only for providing capital but also for driving innovation,” said Gillian-Alexandre Huart, CEO of Engie Energy Access.
“ZEDSI is helping make rural electrification bankable and beneficial for both communities and investors.”
ZEDSI also aligns with Zambia’s National Energy Compact under Mission 300, a joint initiative by the World Bank and African Development Bank that seeks to connect 300 million Africans to clean energy by 2030.
“We have a unique and urgent opportunity to transform the energy landscape,” said Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All.
“This programme demonstrates what’s possible when philanthropy, the private sector, and governments work together with a shared purpose.”
The Universal Energy Facility, a multi-donor results-based financing platform managed by SEforALL, channels grants to developers under ZEDSI.
The platform operates in six countries, including Zambia, Benin, Nigeria, and Madagascar.
Matthew Orosz, CEO of OnePower Africa, called the incentive “a real opportunity to build sustainable, scalable off-grid businesses that serve the communities that need it most.”
About Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)
Sustainable Energy for All is an international organization hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
It works with governments, the private sector, civil society, and international partners to drive progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030 — in line with the Paris Agreement.
About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a global philanthropic organization that supports innovative solutions to advance human well-being.
Its work focuses on transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance to address climate change and improve lives, especially in underserved communities.
About the Universal Energy Facility (UEF)
The Universal Energy Facility is a results-based financing platform managed by SEforALL.
It provides incentive payments to energy developers for verified electricity connections through mini-grids, solar home systems, and clean cooking technologies.
The UEF operates in multiple African countries and supports clean energy access in line with SDG7.
