Ignite Energy Access has commissioned 15 solar-powered mini-grids in eastern Zambia, as part of efforts to expand electricity access in rural areas and support the country’s transition to cleaner energy.
The installations, located in the Chadiza district, were officially brought into operation on January 20, the company said. They form the second batch of projects delivered under Zambia’s Increased Access to Electricity and Renewable Energy Production (IAEREP) programme, which aims to scale up decentralised energy solutions in underserved communities.
Ignite Energy Access said the newly commissioned mini-grids will supply electricity to households, schools, health centres and small businesses, providing a reliable alternative to diesel generators and traditional biomass use in areas not connected to the national grid.
The Chadiza projects are part of a wider portfolio of 60 solar mini-grids that the company is developing in eastern Zambia. Once completed, the full programme is expected to significantly increase electricity access in the region, where grid extension is often constrained by distance, cost and low population density.
International and local support
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The IAEREP programme is co-financed by the European Union through Zambia’s National Authorising Office, with implementation support from the Rural Electrification Authority and the Ministry of Energy. Local authorities have also been involved in facilitating site selection and community engagement.
Zambian officials have increasingly promoted decentralised renewable energy as a practical solution for accelerating electrification, particularly in rural and remote areas where extending the national grid remains expensive and time-consuming.
Mini-grids, which typically serve villages or clusters of settlements, are seen as a way to deliver power more quickly while supporting local economic activity, including agro-processing, retail services and small-scale manufacturing.
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Expanding footprint across Africa
The latest commissioning comes as Ignite Energy Access continues to expand rapidly across the continent. In October 2025, the company completed the acquisition of Engie Energy Access, the off-grid subsidiary of France’s Engie group.
Following the deal, Ignite Energy Access said it had become Africa’s largest off-grid electrification company, serving around 15 million users across 12 countries. Its operations span solar home systems, mini-grids and commercial and industrial solar solutions.
The company has positioned itself as a key player in Africa’s push to close the electricity access gap, particularly in rural areas where traditional grid infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with population growth.
Role of decentralised energy in Zambia
Zambia’s electricity sector has faced recurring challenges, including drought-related reductions in hydropower output, rising demand and infrastructure constraints. While the country has made progress in expanding grid access in urban areas, rural electrification rates remain significantly lower.
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Decentralised solar solutions are increasingly seen as a complementary pillar of the national electrification strategy. According to World Bank estimates, mini-grids and solar home systems could provide electricity to about 8.5 million Zambians by 2030.
That figure represents nearly half of the population that currently lacks access to electricity, highlighting the scale of the challenge and the importance of alternative delivery models.
Energy analysts say solar mini-grids can play a critical role in improving resilience and reducing reliance on hydropower, which remains vulnerable to climate variability. They also support Zambia’s commitments to reduce carbon emissions and expand renewable energy generation.
Development and economic impact
Access to electricity is widely regarded as a key driver of social and economic development. In rural communities, electrification can improve healthcare delivery, support education through lighting and digital tools, and enable income-generating activities for small businesses.
Ignite Energy Access said the Chadiza mini-grids were designed to be scalable, allowing capacity to increase as demand grows. The company added that community engagement and long-term maintenance plans are central to ensuring the sustainability of the projects.
As Zambia and other African countries work to meet universal energy access targets, projects such as the Chadiza mini-grids highlight the growing role of private sector providers and international partners in delivering decentralised, renewable power solutions.
The commissioning of the 15 sites marks another step in Zambia’s broader effort to extend electricity to rural populations, while aligning energy expansion with climate and development goals.
