CFIP programme key in advancing Zambia’s power generation

Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Gilbert Siame, says the Carbon Feed-In Premium (CFIP) programme, is critical to Zambia’s ongoing efforts to expand electricity generation as it commences CFIP implementation. The CFIP Programme is a results-based crediting mechanism…

Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Gilbert Siame, says the Carbon Feed-In Premium (CFIP) programme, is critical to Zambia’s ongoing efforts to expand electricity generation as it commences CFIP implementation.

The CFIP Programme is a results-based crediting mechanism designed to accelerate Zambia’s transition to renewable energy by supporting investments in clean, grid-connected electricity generation technologies.

Dr Siame said the CFIP will support the country’s target of achieving 10,000 megawatts of power generation.

The Minister noted that the project will create an opportunity for Independent Power Producers (IPPs), to have a meaningful stake in the carbon-credit market while addressing some of the risks and uncertainties associated with power purchase agreements.

He said reducing such risks will create a more enabling environment for private-sector investment in electricity generation.

The Minister was speaking today during a meeting with a Norwegian delegation on the operationalisation of the carbon-credit programme.

He pointed out that the project is among the first of its kind in Africa to apply new global carbon-market rules and could provide a proof of concept for similar initiatives.

The Minister also disclosed that Zambia is already pursuing four collaborations aimed at operationalising access to carbon-credit markets, involving Switzerland, Sweden and Norway, with another agreement expected to be signed at the forthcoming Conference of the Parties (COP) in Singapore.

He has commended Norway for being the first to move from discussions and negotiations into implementation through the project, adding that the initiative is also an example of a North-South partnership that can deliver tangible economic results through cooperation between developed and developing economies.

Dr Siame noted that the project aligns with Zambia’s Grow Zambia agenda, saying increased electricity generation is critical to economic activities, including mining, agriculture and other productive sectors.

The Minister has directed officers under his Ministry to address bottlenecks and ensure that negotiations and other processes are concluded expeditiously, while maintaining due process and integrity.

Dr Siame said government is interested in ensuring that risks are minimised for IPPs, so that private-sector players can focus on generating electricity, saying that successful implementation of the project could provide a template for expanding the use of carbon finance to support energy infrastructure and attract more private-sector participation.

He has assured the negotiating team of full political, technical and administrative support, saying government is prepared to intervene where necessary to resolve outstanding issues, adding that Zambia must demonstrate that its carbon market can deliver concrete results.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment Senior Advisor under the Department of Climate Change, Mads Hansen, has welcomed Zambia’s rapid progress in operationalising its carbon market framework, following the signing of the country’s first Memorandum of Understanding for a carbon-credit programme in January 2026.

Mr Hansen said Norway is keen to see the programme implemented as quickly as possible, while ensuring that the emerging carbon market operates with a high degree of integrity.

He narrated that Norway has been supporting carbon-market mechanisms under the Paris Agreement and engaged several countries on the development of such programmes, adding that Zambia’s progress in establishing a framework for the trading of carbon credits has been particularly notable.

He noted that the carbon-crediting period for the programme could run for about ten years, while individual projects could have a lifespan of between 25 and 30 years, adding that this makes it important to establish robust processes that will safeguard the integrity and credibility of the market over the long term.

Mr Hansen is enthusiastic about supporting the implementation of the programme and ensuring that the necessary processes are properly established from the outset.