Mr. Elijah Sichone serves as the Director General of the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) of Zambia, since 16th August 2024, a body established under the Energy Regulation Act to regulate the energy sector, including electricity, petroleum, and renewable energy. He is a seasoned energy sector expert from Zambia with vast experience in the energy sector of over 34 years in energy regulation and policy across Southern Africa.
Prior to his current role at the ERB, Mr. Sichone served as the Executive Director of the Regional Energy Regulators Association of Southern Africa (RERA) in Namibia for a period of 19 years focusing on harmonizing energy regulation across regional regulatory bodies in the Southern African Development (SADC) regio. In 2005, he worked with South Africa’s then National Electricity Regulator (NER), where he also held the position of Executive Secretary for the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR). His previous roles in Zambia included Director of Technical Regulation at the ERB and Deputy Director at the Department of Energy. Additionally, he was seconded to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), where he coordinated renewable energy projects as a National Project Coordinator, supporting sustainable energy enhancement.
Elijah holds two bachelor’s degrees, a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) Degree from the University of Zambia and a Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) in Sustainable Development (specializing in Renewable and Sustainable Energy) from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. He also holds a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Sustainable Development (specializing in Renewable and Sustainable Energy) from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa.