Daylight Robbery, Higher Tariffs, More Blackouts.
Zambians have been lied to and exploited. When ZESCO lobbied for an emergency electricity tariff increase, it assured citizens that the additional revenue would improve power supply. At the time, we were told to expect at least seven hours of electricity per day. Now, the very same state-owned utility has slashed that to a mere four hours, leaving homes and businesses in darkness while demanding even more money. This is not just failure—it is theft by deception, and the people of Zambia are the victims.
The justification for higher tariffs was that ZESCO needed $15 million per month to fund power imports and stabilize supply. Yet, by November and December 2024, the company had only managed to collect $2.4 million and $7.6 million, respectively. This massive shortfall proves that citizens cannot afford these tariffs, yet ZESCO’s response has been to increase them even further. With new hikes ranging from 50% to 156%, over 417,000 households will now struggle to keep the lights on. But what’s worse is that despite these crushing costs, power availability is getting worse, not better.
At the same time, Zambia continues to export electricity to its neighboring countries while Zambians are forced to sit in darkness while their own electricity is shipped abroad. How can a country that claims to be facing an energy crisis afford to prioritize foreign consumers over its own people?
The economic impact of this crisis is devastating. Small businesses—welders, barbers, tailors, restaurants, and shop owners—are struggling to survive. Many have been forced to invest in expensive fuel-powered generators, pushing up their operational costs. Others have simply shut down, unable to cope with the unpredictability of power supply. As a result, jobs are being lost, incomes are shrinking, and Zambia’s economy is suffering.
