A MakanDay investigation uncovers the obscure UK firm offering to solve Zambia’s energy crisis without a single proven energy project.
By Charles Mafa / MakanDay Investigates
During a recent official trip to London by Zambia’s Energy Minister, Echo Eight Investments Limited emerged as a potential partner in the country’s push to end crippling power shortages—largely caused by climate-induced droughts and an overdependence on hydropower.
However, Echo Eight is a little-known UK-based firm which was only founded in December 2022, and appears to have no track record in delivering projects of this size.
Echo Eight’s proposal to deploy up to 5,000 megawatts of renewable energy within just six months of approval has raised eyebrows—not only for its scale and ambition but also because the company has no visible track record in energy development, let alone in large-scale solar infrastructure.
To put this into perspective, Zambia’s total electricity consumption in 2023 was 14,642.2 GWh, according to the latest energy sector report. If operated continuously, a 5,000 MW plant could generate more than three times that amount annually — even accounting for lower output from solar, it would still rival the country’s entire electricity demand.
During a meeting held at Zambia House in London in April this year, Energy Minister Peter Kapala welcomed the company’s interest, noting that it aligns with Zambia’s long-term goal of generating 9,000 megawatts of electricity and positioning the country as a regional energy hub.
He emphasised that Zambia is actively seeking investors capable of delivering tangible results within set timelines.
Echo Eight founder David Green claimed that the firm was ready to begin immediate rollout of solar, hybrid, and energy storage technologies, citing proprietary 3D solar panels and rooftop wind units as part of the offer.
But a MakanDay investigation has found little evidence to support Green’s assertions. Echo Eight does not appear to have implemented any energy projects—solar or otherwise—in the UK or elsewhere. No verifiable portfolio, completed installations, or technical partnerships could be found. Even its corporate history is obscure, with minimal public disclosures and no indication of prior activity in the energy sector.
Although Green confirmed that talks with the Zambian government are ongoing, he declined to answer specific questions—including which technologies would be used to deliver the proposed 5,000 megawatts of solar energy.
“I’m currently in Africa on business and am not able to give the below (questions) the response it merits,” Green said. “Talks are on going and we will happily revert once we can.”
A check by Finance Uncovered, MakanDay’s UK-based investigative partner, revealed that Echo Eight Investments Limited was incorporated in England in December 23, 2022, making the company just two-and-a-half years old. David Jason Green is listed as the sole director and was also the sole shareholder until January 2025, when ownership was transferred to another newly formed entity—Echo Eight Holding Limited.
Echo Eight Holding, incorporated in January 2025, lists two shareholders: David Green and Dr Elise Hickey, 45. According to her LinkedIn profile, Dr. Hickey became Group CEO of Echo Eight Investments in August 2024. She holds a PhD in Dentistry and appears to have practiced in the field until November 2021.
According to the Ministry of Energy’s statement on Facebook, Echo Eight is “ready to install solar, hybrid and advanced storage systems, featuring patented 3D solar technologies and rooftop wind units.”
MakanDay has established that Echo Eight has partnered with another UK-registered company, Tipa Solar, which is seeking to raise funds through the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. This raises serious questions about the consortium’s capacity to deliver on Zambia’s ambitious plan to end load-shedding and achieve energy security by December 2025.
Echo Eight’s link to Tipa Solar is mentioned on the LinkedIn profile of Dr Irene Ching, along with references to Nordic Wind Turbines Technology and Enover EHP, a company involved in heat transfer and waste management. However, there is no indication that representatives from these companies attended the London meeting. Tipa Solar is also listed as a partner on Echo Eight’s website.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Ching is a global brand ambassador, Dr. Irene Ching is a UK-based family doctor and award-winning entrepreneur, known for her work in holistic health, property investment, and personal development. She is the founder of Grace Life Ltd, hosts the Be Happy, Healthy & Wealthy podcast, and offers coaching in money mindset and emotional healing.
The Ministry of Energy did not respond to MakanDay’s specific questions, including, the nature and scope of its partnership with Echo Eight, the status of discussions or negotiations regarding the project, and whether due diligence was conducted on Echo Eight, particularly its capacity and track record in delivering large-scale energy projects.
Instead, Principal Public Relations Officer Bob Sianjalika referred MakanDay to a press statement issued on 30 April 2025. The statement clarified that no deal had been signed with Echo Eight and that the proposed 5,000MW solar project was merely a verbal proposal made to the Minister of Energy during engagements in London.
It further emphasised that the proposal does not constitute any agreement or commitment by the Government of Zambia.
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