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SADC licensing and cross-border power

Per-country licensing differs. SAPP membership enables bilateral trade; AfSEM harmonisation is the direction of travel.

ALLReviewed 01 Jun 2026Next review 01 Sept 2026Reform watch

Southern African power markets vary by jurisdiction:

Zambia (ERA): Generation licences tiered by capacity; deficit market with premium demand for firm power.

Zimbabwe (ZERA): Licensing and forex/offtaker considerations require local counsel; high deficit creates opportunity for wheeled and bilateral structures.

Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique: Each has distinct regulator, grid code, and offtaker credit profile.

Cross-border: SAPP membership and bilateral PPAs enable regional trade where transmission capacity exists. AfSEM and regional harmonisation are active reform areas.

Masibambane is multi-jurisdiction-aware from day one — never apply an SA answer to a Zambia context without explicit confirmation.

This is orientation, not legal advice. Confirm the current position with qualified counsel and the relevant regulator (NERSA, ERA, ZERA, etc.).

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