ZIZABONA is a regional transmission project connecting Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. It will create an alternative north-south electricity wheeling route and relieve congestion on the existing central transmission corridor.
Verified current context: AfDB-supported preparation is reviewing and updating the earlier feasibility and environmental and social studies and providing project-structuring advice for the four-country investment.
The project will construct a set of 330 kV transmission links across Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. The principal sections are the Hwange-Livingstone/Mukuni connection between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Victoria Falls-Pandamatenga connection between Zimbabwe and Botswana, and the Mukuni-Zambezi connection between Zambia and Namibia. Together, the facilities will interconnect the four countries and provide an additional regional transmission route within the Southern African Power Pool.
Verified implementation and technical context: The current preparation package is intended to bring the earlier studies up to date, confirm the preferred technical configuration, reassess environmental and social impacts and define a bankable delivery and financing structure. ZIZABONA must be treated as a coordinated regional system rather than as a single national line: each section, substation and utility has its own preparation and procurement requirements, but the intended benefits depend on the complete alternative north-south wheeling path becoming operational. Progress on one national package therefore cannot be reported as completion of the entire interconnector.
1. Provide an alternative power trading corridor within SAPP to enhance regional energy security and market integration. 2. Decongest the existing central transmission corridor through Zimbabwe to improve system reliability and reduce transmission losses. 3. Enable bi-directional power trading of up to 300 MW initially and 600 MW upon upgrade between the four countries. 4. Improve the reliability and stability of the national power systems in the participating countries. 5. Support economic development, including tourism hubs at Victoria Falls and Kazungula, by ensuring a more reliable electricity supply.