Govt dragged to court over electricity exports
An “urgent” legal proceedings against the State has been filled in the High Court demanding the immediate suspension of all non-essential electricity exports until every Zambian receives adequate, reliable power supply.
The litigants Economic Freedom Fighters announced the development in a press statement saying it stands with every citizen, institution that have been plunged into darkness.
EFF said it is sad to see business owners watch their livelihood crumble, and patients turned away from powerless hospitals.
While you—the people of this Republic—are forced to survive on a mere four hours of electricity daily, this government continues to export our precious energy to foreign countries.
Part of the statement reads:
This is not just incompetence—it is economic treason. We refuse to stand idle while Zambian children study by candlelight so that Namibian and Botswanan homes can stay bright.
We reject a system where Zambian hospitals operate in darkness while foreign industries profit from our power. Zambia’s energy belongs to Zambians, and today we are taking decisive legal action to ensure it stays where it belongs—lighting our homes, powering our businesses, and securing our future.
The EFF has filed urgent legal proceedings in the High Court of Zambia, demanding the immediate suspension of all non-essential electricity exports until every Zambian receives adequate, reliable power supply.
THE LAW DEMANDS ACTION—THE GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO ACT
The very laws of our Republic provide clear mechanisms to stop this injustice:
Section 17 of the Electricity Act No. 11 of 2019 requires the Minister of Energy and Energy Regulation Board to approve electricity exports only after ensuring Zambia’s domestic needs are met and the public interest is protected. The law is explicit: our needs come first, foreign contracts come second.
Section 18 of the same Act empowers—and obligates—the Minister to declare an energy emergency when there is substantial shortage threatening public health, safety, and welfare. With citizens receiving only four hours of power daily while businesses collapse and hospitals struggle, these conditions are clearly met.
The Energy Regulation Act No. 12 of 2019 further reinforces government’s duty to act in the public interest, requiring all licensees to prioritize consumer welfare and national energy security.
The legal framework exists. The crisis is undeniable. Yet this government chooses to honor foreign commercial interests over the constitutional rights and survival of Zambian citizens.
If they will not act, the courts must compel them to fulfill their legal and moral duties.
THE REAL COST OF THIS BETRAYAL
While 106 megawatts flow to foreign countries , Zambians suffer:
Small businesses that employ 88% of our workforce are closing their doors permanently.
Hospitals and clinics cannot provide life-saving services to our people
Students cannot study, crippling our educational system and future workforce
Industries are cutting production, leading to massive job losses and economic decline.
Food security is threatened as cold storage systems fail and irrigation is disrupted.
Meanwhile, Namibia thanks Zambia for keeping their lights on , and Botswana enjoys uninterrupted power for their industries—all paid for by Zambian suffering.
UNDER AN EFF-LED GOVERNMENT
The EFF pledges that under our leadership, Zambian energy sovereignty will be non-negotiable:
Zambia First Energy Policy: No electricity export agreement will ever be signed or honored when Zambians face power shortages. Our energy resources will serve our people before any foreign contract.
Emergency Powers Activation: We will immediately use Section 18 of the Electricity Act to declare energy emergencies whenever domestic supply falls below essential levels, automatically suspending all non-critical exports.
Energy Independence Strategy: Massive investment in diversified generation—solar, wind, coal, and hydroelectric—to ensure Zambia produces enough power for domestic needs plus strategic exports that benefit our economy without compromising our people.
Constitutional Amendment: We will enshrine in our Constitution the principle that essential services like electricity are fundamental rights that cannot be denied to citizens for commercial gain.
Accountability and Justice: Any official who prioritizes foreign interests over Zambian welfare in energy policy will face prosecution for economic sabotage.
The Choice Before Us
Zambians face a stark choice: accept a government that treats our energy as a commodity for foreign profit, or demand leaders who understand that Zambia’s resources belong to Zambians.
The EFF chooses to fight. We choose to use every legal weapon at our disposal. We choose to stand with workers, families, patients, students, and entrepreneurs who deserve better than four hours of power while their own electricity illuminates foreign cities.
We call on every patriotic Zambian to join this struggle. Support our legal action. Demand answers from your elected representatives. Refuse to accept that foreign contracts matter more than Zambian lives.
Power to the People, Power for the People
Electricity is not just about lights and machines—it is about dignity, opportunity, health, and hope. It is about children completing homework, businesses creating jobs, hospitals saving lives, and industries driving our economy forward.
Today, the EFF declares: Zambia’s energy belongs to Zambians. We will fight in the courts, in Parliament, and in every forum until this principle is upheld. We will not rest until every Zambian home, school, clinic, and business has the power they need to thrive.
The era of putting foreign interests before Zambian welfare ends now. The era of energy justice for our people begins today.
Zambia First. Zambians First. Power to the People.
Wherever we want to go our feet will take us there.
Issued by:
Kasonde Mwenda C.
President
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
#Fighting for Energy Justice and Economic Freedom
#PaMakasa