24/04/2026
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema SWITCHES ON 50MW MABUMBA SOLAR PLANT TO LIGHT UP LUAPULA
President Hakainde Hichilema has officially commissioned the 50-megawatt Mabumba Solar Power Station, a move set to triple Luapula Province’s energy capacity and end decades of power scarcity.
Since independence, the province has limped along on just 10MW of hydro-power—far short of the 30MW required to fuel the region.
Speaking at the launch, President Hichilema noted that the province had long been starved of energy investment, but declared that recent sector reforms are finally bearing fruit.
"This is about more than just lights; it’s about industry," the President said, highlighting that the boost in power will unlock massive potential in mineral processing and local trade. He also extended a hand of gratitude to Chief Mabumba for his partnership and praised Zesco for spearheading the project.
Energy Minister Makozo Chikote described the plant as a "cornerstone" of the government’s plan to diversify Zambia’s energy mix. With climate change making traditional hydro-power increasingly unreliable, Zesco Managing Director Justin Loongo emphasized that shifting to solar is essential for a stable national grid.
The project, built by China Machinery Engineering Corporation, also provided a direct boost to the local economy by prioritizing Zambian workers and suppliers during construction.
Closing his address, the President called for national unity, citing peace as the ultimate "driver of development" that makes projects like Mabumba possible
