In 2023, NRECA International celebrated with the community in Ntatumbila, Zambia, on forming the Ntatumbila Power Electric Cooperative (NPEC), the country’s first electric cooperative. This was the culmination of the Zambia Electric Cooperative Development Program (ZECDP), an initiative that was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with Zambia’s Rural Electrification Authority.
In January because of major funding cuts, the lights did not come on as planned in Ntatumbila.
Despite the loss of funding, NRECA International used internal funding to train and mentor the staff and, as much as possible, continue activities as planned. On April 4, 2025 the lights came on. NRECA International also launched a fundraising campaign to help NPEC and the community to keep the lights on.
On June 4, 2025, NPEC’s general manager Choolwe Chuuno spoke to us about her determination to overcome barriers and her hope for Ntatumbila.
Read the interview and view a photo gallery of the community she serves.