Minister of Energy, Makozo Chikote, and his counterpart, Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Kenewendo, have agreed to establish a high-voltage electricity interconnector between the two countries.
The announcement comes after a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ongoing SADC Sustainable Energy Week in Gaborone, Botswana.
Mr. Chikote has stressed the urgency of developing a clear roadmap to expedite the implementation of the Botswana-Zambia Interconnector.
“We need to move swiftly to realize the benefits of this project for our respective countries and the wider region,” emphasized Mr. Chikote.
He says the ambitious Zambia-Botswana Interconnector project aims to strengthen energy cooperation and enhance energy security for both nations, as well as the wider Southern African Development Community (SADC) and that it is also set to improve electricity trade between Botswana and Zambia, and contribute to the region’s energy sustainability.
And Ms. Kenewendo highlighted Botswana’s plans to extend its national grid to connect the northern regions of the country, ultimately linking to Zambia’s grid.
She said there is a strong expectation from both the people of Botswana and Zambia for energy sufficiency.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s High Commissioner to Botswana, Ms. Pamela Chisanga, also attended the meeting and pledged the full support of the Zambian Mission in facilitating the necessary Memoranda of understanding to ensure the smooth and efficient implementation of the project.
This is contained in a statement issued to RCV News by Zambia High Commission Botswana, First Secretary for Press Julia Malunga.
By Margaret Mwanza
