The Luanshya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has welcomed the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation ZESCO’s proposal to increase power tariffs in exchange for a guaranteed seven-hour electricity supply.

LCCI President Ernestal Zimba stated that this plan is preferable to having cheaper power that is unavailable during critical productive hours.

Mr. Zimba explained that the frequent and prolonged load-shedding has negatively impacted the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), particularly small businesses that rely heavily on electricity, such as welders, salons, and barbershops.

He urged the public to support the tariff hike, emphasizing that having reliable power is more important than having cheaper but inconsistent electricity.