Govt agency thumps up improvement in electricity supplies, claims stability boosts business recovery

The Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) has attributed the improved performance of businesses in 2025 to microeconomic stability and the stabilisation of electricity supply across the country. Speaking during a press briefing held at the Protea Hotel Lusaka Tower on Tuesday, BRRA Board Chairperson, Dominic Kapalu, said many businesses emerged from the “doldrums of low production and high cost of production” as the economy began showing signs of recovery. Kapalu noted that unreliable power supply had previously posed a major challenge to business operations, forcing companies to depend on expensive alternative energy sources.

However, the improved electricity situation enabled businesses to raise production levels, reduce operational downtime, and cut costs. “With more reliable electricity, businesses were able to increase production levels, minimise reliance on costly alternative power sources, and improve overall productivity,” Kapalu said. Kapalu highlighted that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were among the key beneficiaries of sustained power stability, allowing them to maintain steady operations and remain competitive in the market.

He stressed that SMEs played a critical role in driving innovation, supporting local supply chains, and creating employment opportunities, making their improved performance a significant boost to overall economic activity. Kapalu expressed optimism that continued energy stability would further strengthen Zambia’s business environment by enhancing investor confidence, supporting business expansion, and attracting new enterprises into the market. Meanwhile, Kapalu revealed that compliance levels with Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) by regulatory agencies and public bodies rose significantly in 2025.

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He said RIA compliance was recorded at 88.2 percent, a sharp increase from 56 percent in 2024. High compliance levels were noted in key sectors such as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), financial regulation, and insurance. Kapalu pointed out that several ICT-related statutory instruments, including those covering licensing, radio communications, and ICT fees, were fully supported by RIAs.

Kapalu attributed the improved compliance largely to BRRA’s continuous stakeholder engagements and targeted training programmes aimed at strengthening the capacity of RIA teams within regulatory bodies. He added that the increase in compliance reflected a maturing regulatory governance environment, characterised by stronger institutional practices, greater adherence to established procedures, and improved coordination between BRRA and other regulatory agencies.

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