Zambia to phase out diesel transport, set to introduce electric buses
ZAMBIANS should brace themselves for a silent revolution on the country’s roads as government has announced plans to introduce electric buses, drifting away from diesel-powered public transport.
This follows Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa’s successful test ride of an electric bus manufactured in Uganda, a development he described as a major breakthrough in Zambia’s drive towards a green economy.
Kangwa, said government is impressed with the innovation and is ready to partner with Uganda to adopt the technology rather than starting from scratch.
He added that Government will request for a quotation for Uganda’s Electric vehicles.
“The electric vehicle is the way to go, and we will do everything as a government to make sure that we get there,” Kangwa said.
“We do not have to reinvent the wheel, but we will partner with our colleagues. I have a team working on this to see how we can have some electric buses.”
He explained that the introduction of electric buses will not only reduce carbon emissions but also cut the country’s heavy fuel import bill, which continues to drain the economy.
Kangwa disclosed that government is already engaging local players to create an enabling environment that will allow the transport sector to gradually migrate from diesel to electric, with plans to eventually manufacture electric buses within Zambia.
He said the partnership with Uganda will open doors for skills transfer, local assembly and supply of components, while creating business opportunities for Zambians.
Meanwhile, Zambia Electric Mobility Innovation Alliance (ZEMIA) co-founder and president Kabayo Muhau said the adoption of electric vehicles could save the country billions of kwacha, noting that Zambia spends more than US$2 billion annually on fuel imports.
“Zambia spends over 2 billion United States dollars on fuel annually, and with electric vehicles, the country can save significantly,” said Muhau.
And Honorary Consul of Uganda to Zambia representative Joshua Ashaba said the partnership between Zambia and Uganda will strengthen regional cooperation while accelerating the green transport agenda, ZANIS reports.
With government now pressing the accelerator on clean energy transport, Zambians may soon find themselves boarding electric buses as the country drives into a quieter, cheaper and greener future.
By George Musonda
Kalemba December 21, 2025
Easy to talk difficult to do it we had heard similar promises from PF criminals k5 diesel from Saudi Arabia
Stop the nonsense talk! How are you going to achieve that with electricity shortages? That is something that you can talk about in 15 to 20 years time. You don’t have the charging infrastructure along the routes that are serviced by buses! Even the electric cars around town is going to be a challenge. As things stand you don’t even have enough technical people who understand how electric cars work. It’s nice technology to have but it comes with a lot of challenges for third world nations.
Diesel engineering jobs at risk we have invested too much money into diesel equipment what will happen to us government should not just talk or do things from no were without thinking or involving people all they want is to benefit themselves same thing happing with mines giving foreigners only taking people’s farmers this time around we are going to fight don’t just wakeup and say things without thinking you want to give everything to foreigners.
If you don’t involve as in the diesel industry you will never bring these busses in Zambia you want us to suffer to be beggers to foreigners in our own country you want to make us slaves like the mines only Chinese and relatives to politicians are enjoying making our people slaves these Chinese just because they come with money on this one you are playing maybe you can put them in lusaka not cooperbelt.