This is the complete ZESCO residential prepaid electricity tariff schedule for 2026. Use these rates to calculate the cost of any amount of electricity, or use our ZESCO calculator for an instant breakdown.
Note: These rates apply to residential prepaid customers only. ZESCO operates separate tariff structures for commercial, industrial, and other customer categories. Rates are approved by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).
Residential prepaid tariff bands
Band | Monthly Consumption | Rate per Unit (kWh) | What This Means |
|---|---|---|---|
1 (Lifeline) | 0 - 100 kWh | K0.42 | Cheapest rate - covers basic lighting and phone charging |
2 | 101 - 200 kWh | K1.19 | Moderate use - fridge, TV, and a few appliances |
3 | 201 - 400 kWh | K2.89 | Higher use - multiple appliances, cooking |
4 | Above 400 kWh | K4.12 | Highest rate - air conditioning, geysers, heavy use |
How to read this table
ZESCO uses a progressive block tariff. This means you do not pay one flat rate for all your electricity. Instead:
Your first 100 units each month always cost K0.42 per unit
Units 101 to 200 cost K1.19 per unit
Units 201 to 400 cost K2.89 per unit
Anything above 400 units costs K4.12 per unit
The bands are cumulative - you always get the benefit of the cheaper bands first, even if your total consumption is high.
Cost at each consumption level
Here is what different consumption levels actually cost per month:
Total Units Used | Total Cost | Effective Rate per Unit |
|---|---|---|
50 kWh | K21.00 | K0.42 |
100 kWh | K42.00 | K0.42 |
150 kWh | K101.50 | K0.68 |
200 kWh | K161.00 | K0.81 |
300 kWh | K450.00 | K1.50 |
400 kWh | K739.00 | K1.85 |
500 kWh | K1,151.00 | K2.30 |
Notice how the effective rate per unit increases with consumption. A household using 100 units pays K0.42 per unit on average, while one using 500 units pays K2.30 per unit on average.
VAT and excise duty
Residential prepaid electricity is currently zero-rated for both VAT (16%) and excise duty. The rates shown above are what you actually pay - no hidden taxes are added.
When do rates change?
ZESCO tariff adjustments are approved by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB). Changes are typically announced publicly before they take effect. The rates in this guide are effective for 2026.
For a step-by-step explanation of how units are calculated, see our guide to ZESCO electricity calculation. To see how many units specific amounts buy, read How many ZESCO units for your money.