africa country profile
Water systems under pressure The proposed Kabwe Water Supply and Sanitation Project is intended to develop climate-resilient infrastructure and improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation for more than 460,000 people. It also aims to strengthen the performance of local water utilities so they can provide more resilient services. Water infrastructure brings a broad range of material requirements, from treatment equipment and pipework to pumps, valves, storage and distribution systems. The correct specification depends on water chemistry, operating pressures, treatment processes and maintenance conditions. Stainless steel can be an important option where corrosion resistance, cleanability and dependable service are required, but grade selection must be based on the actual environment rather than assumed from the application alone. For suppliers and project teams, the opportunity is therefore not simply to promote a material. It is to contribute technical knowledge early enough to help designers and operators compare lifecycle performance, maintenance needs and total cost of ownership. Powering a more diverse energy mix Zambia’s reliance on hydropower has made electricity supply vulnerable to drought. The country is now pursuing a more diverse generation mix, with solar investment moving quickly. Its National Energy Compact sets a target of 10,000 MW of installed generation capacity by 2030, according to the source material supplied for this article. Two projects illustrate the pace of change. The Chisamba Solar Power Plant’s second phase was reported as adding 100 MW in July 2026, bringing the facility’s total
capacity to 200 MW. Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) commissioned the 136 MW Itimpi II Solar Plant in Kitwe in April 2026, taking its solar capacity to 230 MW. CEC has also stated an ambition to exceed 500 MW of solar capacity by 2027 and to use remaining Green Bond funding for battery energy storage systems. The shift from generation alone to storage and dispatchable power is significant for industrial development. It raises demand for equipment and infrastructure across the energy value chain, including electrical enclosures, cable management, process systems and water services. Stainless
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Issue 4 – 2026
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