The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a $200 million grant to Zambia through its International Development Association (IDA), marking the 13th phase of the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation (ASCENT) Program.
This funding aims to deliver reliable and sustainable energy services to over one million Zambians within five years, focusing on remote and underserved communities.
The initiative will connect households to electricity while ensuring businesses and industries gain access to affordable power, supporting job creation and economic growth nationwide.
Project components include scaling successful pilot initiatives, investing in new energy technologies, and building local capacity to manage energy infrastructure.
Yadviga Viktorivna Semikolenova, World Bank Practice Manager for Energy in Eastern and Southern Africa, stated the program aligns with Zambia’s energy goals under the national compact of the Mission 300 Initiative.
“The ASCENT Zambia project demonstrates our commitment to universal sustainable energy access,” Semikolenova confirmed, referencing Zambia’s alignment with the broader target to electrify 300 million Africans by 2030.
Achim Fock, World Bank Country Manager for Zambia, emphasized collaborative efforts for the project’s success. “Partnerships are vital to ASCENT Zambia.
We appreciate all stakeholders and will work jointly to spur economic growth through reliable energy provision,” Fock noted. The ASCENT Program’s phased approach supports Eastern and Southern African nations in advancing the Mission 300 objectives.
Established in 1960, IDA provides grants and low-interest loans to the world’s poorest countries, with nearly 70% of recent commitments directed to Africa. Since inception, IDA has disbursed $496 billion across 114 nations.
