The separation of the former Ministry of Energy into a Ministry of Electricity and a Ministry of Petroleum sharpens policy focus, but creates an institutional question: how should Zambia’s national energy regulator relate to two policy ministries when its mandate spans electricity, petroleum and other regulated energy activities?
The recommended approach is to retain one independent national regulator—the ERB— while organising its operations into specialised Electricity and Petroleum regulatory divisions, supported by shared cross-cutting functions. The two ministries should lead policy and sector development within their respective portfolios. ERB should continue to make regulatory decisions independently, within the powers assigned to it by law.
This avoids the disruption, duplicated overheads, fragmented expertise and inconsistent regulatory approaches that could arise from immediately creating two separate regulators. It preserves a single national regulatory interface for investors and consumers while allowing each ministry to focus on its policy priorities.
The immediate priority is to clarify the law, governance and working arrangements created by the ministerial split—not to restructure ERB hastily.
‘’Obtain a formal Attorney-General’s opinion on the Energy Regulation Act, 2019, the Energy Regulation (Amendment) Act No. 45 of 2026 and related legislation- Clarify which minister exercises statutory powers relating to ERB appointments, policy direction, reporting and other functions after the split.’’
Establish a coordination protocol between the two ministries and ERB without compromising regulatory independence.- Create specialised Electricity and Petroleum regulatory divisions within ERB, with adequate staffing, budgets, systems and technical expertise.-
Give the Ministry of Electricity a focused regulatory reform and delivery programme aligned with the national 10,000 MW generation ambition for 2031.
About the Author Eng Geoffrey Chishimba Chiyumbe, Pr Eng Eng. Geoffrey Chishimba Chiyumbe, Pr Eng, is an energy expert and a professional electrical engineer with over 30 years post qualifying experience attained from both Zambia and South Africa.
Graduated from the University of Zambia (UNZA) with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering – Heavy Current and worked for then ZCCM Konkola division, ZESCO Limited, Eskom, Anglo American Plc. at Head Office in Johannesburg, the Gautrain Rapid Rail Project amongst many others.
He was appointed in 2017 as Chairman for the Presidential Task Force mandated to carZambia with specific focus on turning ZESCO into a viable commercial entity. Currently serves as the Project Manager for the GCIP Solar PV Net Metering Project under Mott McDonalds (PwC led) through the British government in collaboration with the ministry of Energy in support of the Presidential Solar Power Initiative.
He is the current Vice Chairperson of the Energy Committee under the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ). Serves as a member of the energy sector technical committee – National Occupational Standards Development Team – of the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA). Member of the Energy Committee And also the Policy and Research Bureau of the National Management Committee for the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).
Professionally registered with the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ), Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE). A Transformational and Innovative Leader with a positive mindset. He can be contacted on: Mobile / Whatsapp Line: +260976840325
