CTPD CALLS FOR A PUBLIC DATABASE ON PPAs TO ENHANCE ACCOUNTABILITY

By Scoop Reporter

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) has urged the government to establish a publicly accessible database on Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to address the growing fiscal, social, and climate challenges in the energy sector.

CTPD Legal Researcher Lucy Musonda said this will enhance transparency and accountability in the country’s energy sector.

PPAs, which outline the terms for electricity generation and procurement, she said, are critical to resolving Zambia’s energy crisis.

She said the lack of transparency in these agreements has led to unsustainable public debt, limited competitive procurement, and missed opportunities for clean energy development.
“Zambia is not alone in facing these challenges. Countries like Ghana have demonstrated the transformative potential of transparency by launching public PPA registers.
These initiatives have reduced fiscal risks, attracted high-quality investments, and promoted competitive pricing, ultimately fostering sustainable energy systems. Zambia stands to gain similar benefits by adopting this best practice,” she said.

She said currently, the absence of a public PPA database leaves citizens uninformed about commitments made on their behalf and creates uncertainties for investors.

Ms Musonda said a transparent register would enable public scrutiny of critical terms such as tariffs, contract durations, and risk allocation.

This, she said, would not only safeguard public resources but also build investor confidence, ensuring that Zambia’s energy sector is financially sustainable, climate resilient, and socially inclusive.