National Authorising Office of the European Development Fund - Zambia

24/08/2026

The NAO Fact of the Week; the Kariba Dam Spillway Gates
Hands up if you have always thought electricity was generated through the six spillway gates at the . ✋
You are not alone. Here is the fact: these gates do not generate electricity. They are used to safely release excess water from Lake Kariba into the Zambezi River during periods of high inflows.
The last controlled water release through the spillway gates for this purpose took place in 2013.
Now you know! What else would you like to learn about the Kariba Dam? Share your questions in the comments.
Ministry of Finance and National Planning, , Lusaka-Zambia
Ministry of Energy Zambia
European Union in Zambia
Presidential Delivery Unit Zambia
Zambezi River Authority

Technical Data Type Double Curvature Concrete Arch Height 128 metres Crest Length 617 metres Crest Thickness 13 metres

19/08/2026

Live Stream on Large Scale Mining and Investment Promotion!
Ministry of Finance and National Planning, , Lusaka-Zambia
European Union in Zambia
Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development-Zambia
Ministry of Energy Zambia
Ministry of Green Economy and Environment - Zambia
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development-Zambia
Ministry of Commerce,Trade and Industry
Ministry of Infrastructure,Housing and Urban Development - Zambia
Presidential Delivery Unit Zambia
Zambia Development Agency

23/07/2026

The EU is a reliable partner in Zambia’s education sector, supporting learning, skills development and opportunities that help build a stronger future for young people and communities across the country. From classrooms to international study opportunities, this partnership is about long-term knowledge, skills, trust and results.
Swipe to see how the EU is supporting education in Zambia.
Reliable. And that’s the whole point.
Ministry of Finance and National Planning, , Lusaka-Zambia
Ministry of Education- Zambia
European Union in Zambia

15/07/2026

EU financed Solar Microgrids electrify Chama’s remote areas

CHAMA District in Eastern Province is one of the largest districts, a huge expanse of land is remote and located in the North Luangwa National Park without any access to electricity and other amenities.

With the financial support from the European Union, World Vision has accelerated its quest to electrify Chama’s remote areas through 10 more solar micro-grids that are already under construction.

The National Authorizing Office of the European Development Fund (NAO) and World Vision Team was in Chama recently, and toured the existing and new solar micro-grids sites in Chikwa and Chifunda Kingdoms and appreciated the transformations that are happening in these remote areas.

During the team’s tour, it was discovered that the two 122 kwp micro-grids, Chigoma and Kapichilasenga were almost completed and will be activated in July whereas, the construction on other sites were at 40 per cent.

Before the touring the sites, the team paid a courtesy call to Chief Chikwa at his palace. The chief praised the World Vision and the European Union for empowering his subjects through electricity. He also prodded the World Vision to extend its water facilities to most dry areas of his Kingdom.

NAO Communications Expert, K***a Chinyanta Mwila was impressed with the Chigoma Microgrid and appealed to World Vision and the contractor to energize the sites as soon as possible so that communities and institutions can start benefiting from the facility.

According to the World Vision Team led by National Office Associate Director Emmanuel Ngulube, the Chigoma and Kapichilasenga Microgrids would be energized before the end of July. Institutions (School and health facilities and staff houses) were already wired and services cables connected.

As part of the benchmarking exercise, the team also visited World Vision existing site at Manga, also in Chief Chikwa’s Kingdom where Manga Rural Health Centre is already connected to the grid. The Manga Community is also benefiting in so many ways.
“It was so encouraging to see local entrepreneurs use microgrids electricity to power welding machines, hammer mills, oil dispellers, fridges and freezers but most importantly, these grids are also helping in the provision of quality health care and education,” said Mr. Mwila after visiting the Manga Business Centre and a business cooperative.

The Solar Microgrids are part of the European Union financed Increased Access to Electricity and Renewable Energy Production (IAEREP) Project whose main objective is to increase access to electricity especially to citizens living off the national grid.

About 50 microgrids under IAEREP Project have already been commissioned and several others are under construction. Close to 200 microgrids are expected to be rolled out under IAEREP in partnership with the private sector and Rural Electrification Authority (REA).
Ministry of Finance and National Planning, , Lusaka-Zambia
Ministry of Energy Zambia
European Union in Zambia
National Authorising Office of the European Development Fund
World Vision Zambia

24/06/2026

IN the middle of Northern Luangwa National Park in Chama District, this is the lodging house where we find ourselves with the team from World Vision, our Increased Access to Electricity and Renewable Energy Production (IAEREP) partners.

Since the beginning of our tour of duty on 21st June, we have already covered Chikwa and Chifunda Kingdoms where the European Union and the Zambian Government in partnership with World Vision, are rolling out solar microgrids in Chama District.

The solar microgrids are changing lives in the areas off the national grid such as Chikwa, Chifunda and others across the country.

The recent traversing of Chama District, gives us encouragement that once the solar micro-grid are fully operationalised, will positively change the lives of the community that is surrounded by nothing else but wildlife but both Chiefs Chikwa and Chifunda are upbeat that the minigrids will soon transform the lives of their subjects.

As we continue with our mission, we are so happy to see local entreprenuers using minigrids electricity to power welding machines, hammer mills, oil dispellers, fridges and freezers and other electrical accessories. The solar micro-grids are key to rural development!!!

04/06/2026

Farewell to EU Head of Cooperation, Bacigalupi, Governance Team Leader, Stefanescu

TUESDAY evening was full of mixed feelings and emotions, as the European Union in Zambia, EU member states, diplomatic institutions and stakeholders such as the National Authorising Office of the European Development Fund bade farewell to the EU Head of Cooperation, Claudio Bacigalupi and Governence Team Leader, Stefanescu.

Guests at the event held at the EU Ambassador to Zambia's residence paid glowing tributes to both Bacigalupi and Stefanescu, whose tour of duty to Zambia has comne to an end.

In an emotional speech, EU Ambassador, Karolina Stasiak praised Bacigalupi for his dedication to projects such as the Lobito Corridor, jovialness and openness, while se decribed Stefanescu as a prolific writer and charismatic persons.

National Authorising Office of the European Development Fund (NAO) Coordinator, Temwani Chihana who has worked closely with Bacigalupi during his six years in Zambia, said "Claudio has contributed immensely to Zambia's development agenda through projects such as the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project". He added: "I had close working relationship with Claudio and will be really missed.

Both Bacigalupi and Stefanescu said they cherished their stay and experience in Zambia and that they greatly miss the country. Stefanescu, nicknamed Chanda (in Bemba) and Liseli (in Lozi) gave his emotional farewell speech in fairly good Bemba which he has been learning over the four years he has been in Zambia.

NAO Communications Expert, K***a Chinyanta Mwila who has travelled extensively with both Bacigalupi and Stefanescu, thanked the two all Zambia's major languages for the dedication to projects, that have changed lives, especially in rual areas.
Ministry of Finance and National Planning, , Lusaka-Zambia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Zambia
Ministry of Green Economy and Environment - Zambia
Ministry of Energy Zambia
World Bank Group
German Embassy Lusaka
Embassy of the Czech Republic in Lusaka
Ambassade de France en Zambie / French Embassy in Zambia
Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka
Embassy of Ireland, Zambia
Embassy of Italy in Lusaka -

03/06/2026

📢
FAO Zambia has launched the 2nd Call for the Matching Grant Facility!
Eligible cooperatives, farmer organizations, and individual farmers working with SIFAZ-supported cooperatives and SMEs are invited to apply.
The SIFAZ Project is a EUR 32 million European Union-funded initiative implemented by FAO Zambia, the Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia, and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).
The project supports smallholder farmers through Sustainable Intensification Practices ( ), mechanization, improved market linkages, and a stronger enabling environment for sustainable growth.
📩 Applications can be submitted through FAO Provincial Offices (via email or physical delivery).
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/4dQBHj5
⏳ Application deadline: 5 June 2026
Don't miss this opportunity to grow your agricultural enterprise and strengthen your impact.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems (SIFAZ) projec...

27/05/2026

Call for EOI: Consultancy Services for the ISAT Irrigation Project (Feasibility Studies & Designs)
https://nao.gov.zm/consultancy-services-for-the-conducting-of-feasibility-studies-preparation-of-detailed-designs-environmental-and-social-instruments-and-bidding-and-tender-documents-for-the-proposed-isat-project/
Ministry of Finance and National Planning, , Lusaka-Zambia
Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia
European Union in Zambia
National Authorising Office of the European Development Fund - Zambia
World Bank Group

The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the National Authorising Office of the European Development Fund at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, has […]

27/05/2026

Agro-financing!

27/05/2026

As climate change continues to reshape Zambia's agricultural landscape, access to climate-resilient seeds has never been more critical. Marina Kamanzi, Founder and Managing Director of Kagezi Seed Company, has built her business around providing exactly that. But like many passionate agripreneurs, Marina needed the tools to communicate her company's impact to a broader audience and connect with the right people.
Through the technical assistance provided under the Zambia Agriculture Value Chain Facility (ZAVCF), with the support of Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Marina gained the skills and confidence to step onto the pitch stage. The result? The opportunity to make meaningful connections with fellow agripreneurs, financial sector representatives, potential investors, and a network that continues to open doors for Kagezi Seed Company.
Watch the video to learn about Marina's experience in her own words. Supported by the European Union and the European Investment Bank, the ZAVCF is ensuring that women agripreneurs like Marina have the visibility, networks, and financing opportunities they deserve. Together, we are .