AFREC Rolls Out Continental Training in Lusaka on Distribution Grid Loss Reduction and Action Planning

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Apr 2, 2026

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The African Energy Commission (AFREC), in partnership with the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Zambia, has successfully conducted a five-day hybrid training workshop on electricity distribution grid loss determination and action planning aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in distribution grids across Africa. The training brought together over 50 experts from more than 20 African countries, including representatives from energy ministries, utilities, regulators, academia, and regional energy institutions.

Hosted from 30^th March to 3^rd April in Lusaka, the programme is part of the “Efficiency First: Powering Africa’s Sustainable Development 2024–2028” initiative, supported by the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, and marks the first rollout of a newly developed continental handbook on Determination of Distribution Grid Losses and Development of Action Plans in Africa.

Speaking at the official opening, Director of Planning at the Zambia Ministry of Energy, Sineva Kambenja, emphasised the urgency of addressing grid inefficiencies. “Electricity distribution losses remain a major challenge for many African utilities, including Zambia’s ZESCO Limited. At approximately 12.75%, our losses are significantly above global benchmarks, affecting both revenue and our ability to expand electricity access,” Mr Kambenja said.

Across Africa, electricity losses frequently exceed 20%, and in some cases surpass 40%, compared to 5–10% in developed economies. These losses, caused by aging infrastructure, long transmission distances, and non-technical issues such as theft and billing inefficiencies, undermine system performance and financial sustainability.

Representing the AFREC Executive Director Rashid Ali Abdallah, AFREC’s Head of Division for Policy, Planning and Strategy, Yagouba Traore highlighted that reducing grid losses is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to increase electricity supply without building new power plants. “Fixing the grid is key to powering Africa’s future. When we reduce losses, we unlock hidden capacity, connect more people, and build a more resilient and sustainable energy system. While 40 % of the continent operates in the dark, African utilities continue to lose nearly a fifth of their generated power. Addressing these losses is low-hanging fruit. It is the fastest way to improve reliability, boost utility finances, lower consumer’s cost, and prevent premature investment in new power generation,” Mr Traore noted.

The training initiative in Zambia, which also includes hands-on exercises, aligns with the African Union’s broader energy goals, including the African Single Electricity Market and the Continental Power System Masterplan, which aim to modernise and integrate Africa’s power systems.

With electricity demand in Africa projected to more than double by 2040, stakeholders emphasized that improving efficiency in existing systems is as critical as expanding generation capacity. Therefore, under the training, participants gained practical skills in measuring and analysing technical and non-technical losses, using advanced modelling tools, developing country-specific loss reduction strategies, and understanding regulatory and financing frameworks.

Notes to Editor:

The African Energy Commission (AFREC) is a specialized energy agency of the African Union (AU), under the Commission for Infrastructure and Energy, mandated to develop the African energy sector by coordinating, harmonising, protecting, conserving, developing, commercialising, integrating, and promoting rational exploitation of energy resources in Africa.

Facilitated by a consortium of NewEra Consultancy LLC (USA) and the Centre for Energy, Environment and Engineering of Zambia (CEEEZ), the training is designed to produce a network of experts who will support national and regional efforts to reduce electricity losses. The initiative aligns with the African Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan, which targets a 50% increase in energy productivity by 2050 and 70% by 2063.

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