Government through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has officially commissioned the Ishima Grid Development Project in Zambezi District, North-Western Province, marking yet another milestone in its commitment to achieving universal access to electricity by 2030.
The project, implemented at a cost of ZMW 7,079,880.05, was executed by local contractor Lunosa Company Limited under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy. It has connected 18 public facilities and 312 households, bringing the total to 330 new electricity connections across Ishima Chiefdom.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony held at Kasesi Secondary School, Vice President Dr. W.K. Mutale Nalumango described the project as “a commitment fulfilled and a promise delivered to the people of Ishima.”
“Connecting Ishima Village to the national grid is not a symbolic gesture. It is a solemn commitment to ensure that every Zambian, in every community, has access to clean and affordable energy,” said Dr. Nalumango.
The Vice President commended REA for its continued efforts in transforming rural communities and urged the people of Ishima to use electricity productively to enhance local enterprise and livelihoods.
“Your Government has delivered. Now the responsibility lies with you. Use this electricity to uplift your lives through productive ventures. You can now operate salons, barbershops, irrigation systems, and refrigeration services. Your initiative will drive the transformation of this area,” she added.
Meanwhile, REA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Alex Mbumba, thanked Government for its continued support towards rural energy access, noting that the K1.3 billion allocated to REA in the 2026 National Budget is the highest ever funding in the Authority’s history.
“Since 2023, when the Vice President flagged off accelerated implementation, we have contracted 163 projects and completed 131 across the country,” Eng. Mbumba reported.
He further explained that the Ishima project was initially started by ZESCO in 2016 but was later completed by REA in 2024 after extending 9.2 kilometres of 33kV grid lines and constructing 8.8 kilometres of distribution network.
Adding a local voice, Chief Dr. Ishima Sankeng’i VI described the project as “an independence gift” to his people, stating that electricity will unlock economic opportunities and contribute to the broader development of Zambezi District.
