Xi’an, China, September 3rd - On September 3, 2024, Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, visited LONGi’s headquarters, in Xi’an, and had in-depth discussion with LONGi’s leadership. The visit focused on topics such as Zambia’s energy transition and cooperation with LONGi. Accompanying the President were Zambian Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote and LONGi’s Founder and President Li Zhenguo.
President Hichilema began the visit by touring LONGi’s Green Energy Exhibition Hall, where Mr. Li Zhenguo provided a detailed introduction to the photovoltaic industry’s development, LONGi’s history, core business, R&D innovations, and international market strategy. Both parties engaged in extensive and friendly discussions on strengthening renewable energy cooperation, advancing Zambia’s energy transition, and achieving energy equity.
Zambia, located in the southern-central part of Africa, is characterized by its high plateau and abundant sunlight, making it highly suitable for solar power generation. President Hichilema’s visit to LONGi aimed to promote the development of solar and other renewable energies in Zambia, diversify the national energy structure, and reduce the risks associated with one type of electricity source. He noted that LONGi’s technological advancement arising from research and development benefit the global community including Africa, and expressed eagerness to broaden and deepen cooperation with LONGi to deliver greater value in the energy sector and empower local mining development. The President was impressed by LONGi’s efficient products and expressed hope for the rapid deployment of advanced PV technologies in Zambia. Additionally, President Hichilema expressed interest in expanding cooperation with LONGi in the hydrogen energy sector based on their PV collaboration.
During the meeting, Mr. Li Zhenguo stated that LONGi would leverage its technological advantages and innovation capabilities in the PV sector to provide differentiated products and solutions. This support aims to assist Zambia in developing solar energy, addressing power shortages during dry seasons, and ensuring stable energy supplies. Furthermore, the development of solar power can significantly reduce generation costs, making electricity more affordable and accessible, thus achieving energy equity. LONGi also plans to offer cost-effective, cleaner energy solutions for the mining industry to help reduce production costs and carbon emissions, promoting the country’s energy transition.
LONGi has consistently viewed Zambia as a strategic market in the region and has actively collaborated with Zambian government departments such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), and Zambia’s national power utility, ZESCO, as well as institutions like the Copperbelt University and Kapasa Makasa University. Through close communication with various stakeholders, LONGi’s Africa team has gained a deep understanding of Zambia’s electricity needs and the main challenges in new energy development, providing targeted green solar solutions to support Zambia’s energy transition.
To meet the urgent local demand for stable and reliable energy, LONGi’s Africa team is dedicated to offering one-stop, affordable solutions for various scenarios. Addressing local electricity bottlenecks and the shortage of new energy professionals, LONGi actively collaborates with leading distributors in the East African market to train local industry experts, provide comprehensive solar power plant services, and help resolve energy challenges. For Zambia’s pillar industries, LONGi’s Africa team has developed specialized solutions and introduced successful experiences from other countries.
LONGi believes that cultivating local talent is more important than merely providing solutions. Based on this principle, LONGi’s Africa team is advancing training programs. Since 2023, LONGi has engaged in multiple exchanges with Zambian students studying in China, invited them to visit the LONGi headquarters, and, in collaboration with China’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Hubei University of Technology, provided free 20-day solar system training to 20 African talents. The trainees have actively applied their knowledge, with many continuing to work in the new energy sector, and the “Golden Seeds” of PV technology are taking root and flourishing in Africa.
After witnessing the positive impact of these training programs on local new energy development, LONGi successfully introduced the solar system “Golden Seeds” training program to Zambia. Since August of this year, LONGi’s East Africa team has conducted several public training courses at NIPA, attracting more than a hundred local students.
In the future, LONGi will continue to firmly deepen its engagement in the African market, adhering to the principle of “long-termism,” and continually provide cost-effective, sustainable energy solutions to African countries, contributing LONGi’s efforts towards a more equitable global energy landscape.
About LONGi
Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world’s leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation.
Under its mission of 'making the best of solar energy to build a green world', LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established five business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers cells and modules, commercial & industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has more recently, also embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development. www.longi.com