Purpose:
Research Methods International was contracted by UNIDO to support a comprehensive mapping of energy use across Zambia’s industrial sector and to assess the associated policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks. The assignment aims to generate robust, sector-wide evidence on industrial energy consumption patterns, efficiency gaps, and demand drivers to inform national energy efficiency strategies, industrial policy reforms, and investment prioritisation.

The study focuses on understanding how energy is used across key industrial subsectors, identifying opportunities for energy efficiency improvements, and strengthening alignment between industrial energy demand, policy instruments, and regulatory mechanisms.

Scope and Approach:

The consultancy applies a structured, mixed-methods approach combining:

• Mapping and analysis of energy consumption patterns across priority industrial subsectors;
• Review of national energy, industrial, and climate policy frameworks affecting industrial energy use;
• Assessment of regulatory, institutional, and data systems supporting industrial energy planning;
• Key informant interviews with government institutions, regulators, utilities, industry associations, and large energy users; and
• Evidence-based identification of priority areas for policy reform, energy efficiency interventions, and future analytical work.

Status:
Ongoing. The inception phase has been completed, and primary data collection and stakeholder consultations are currently underway. The assignment will deliver an industrial energy-use mapping report and actionable policy recommendations to support Zambia’s transition toward a more energy-efficient and competitive industrial sector.