By Mildred K. Mwakamui, Build It Corporate Engagement & Placement Coordinator
Zambia is currently experiencing a severe energy crisis driven by drought. This has greatly reduced the country’s hydropower generation. With around 85% of our country’s electricity produced from hydropower, the low water levels in reservoirs, particularly at the Kariba Dam, has led to drastic cuts in power supply.
What began as 8-hour power outages has now escalated to up to 17-hours a day. The power crisis is having far reaching effect on households and industries across the country.
Impact on the construction sector
One of the most significant effects has been on water provision. It is common across Zambia for households and businesses to rely on boreholes for water, which are typically powered by electric pumps. When water tanks run dry, they cannot be refilled without electricity. This causes work to slow down, especially tasks involving the mixing of concrete and mortar.
Power shortages have also limited the use of essential power tools for tasks such as welding, drilling, and cutting. Without a consistent electricity supply, many of these tasks grind to a halt.
Block-making factories, which are crucial for many construction projects, have been forced to reduce their production hours due to electricity shortages. The production of quarry dust is also being affected. Many factories now operate during late-night or early-morning hours when power is more likely to be available. This has caused delays in the supply chain, again slowing down projects and increasing costs.
While larger construction firms are adapting by investing in generators and solar power systems, smaller businesses are struggling to keep up. Many lack the capital to make these investments, putting them at a disadvantage. This is particularly concerning here in Zambia, where a large portion of the workforce operates in the informal sector, making them even more vulnerable during this crisis.
Challenges to job security
The power crisis is also affecting employment and job security, impacting the young people we support through our training programme.
As construction companies face delays and disruptions, they may take on fewer of our trainees. The rising costs of running generators or installing solar systems are straining budgets, which is leading to a reduction in work opportunities. Additionally the erratic power supply means work schedules are frequently interrupted making it harder for our trainees to gain consistent, valuable on-site experience.
While the construction industry in Zambia is slowly adapting to the ongoing power crisis, the long-term consequences remain uncertain – particularly across the informal sector.
Continued engagement
Engagement with employers has always been important to us, but it’s even more crucial during these challenging times.
We continue to collaborate with a network of contractors to explore new opportunities and solutions, ensuring we continue supporting young people into work. By showcasing the value our skilled graduates bring to the industry, we are working to actively expand this employer network to create more opportunities for our trainees.