The Ministry of Energy and Power Development, in collaboration with the World Bank and with the support of the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) and the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), is hosting a crucial National Consultation Indaba in Harare. This pivotal gathering brings together a diverse range of stakeholders from across Zimbabwe’s energy sector to forge a unified and ambitious path towards achieving universal access to modern, clean, and affordable energy by the year 2030. This goal is firmly aligned with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 7 (SDG7), which focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
This inclusive and comprehensive dialogue is considered paramount to effectively mobilizing the significant investment required, unlocking the vast potential of renewable energy resources within the country, and ensuring that no segment of Zimbabwe’s population is left behind in the nation’s critical energy transition. Key deliberations are being held today among prominent stakeholders, including representatives from the Government of Zimbabwe, key players in the private sector, and various development partners committed to supporting the nation’s energy goals.
The esteemed guest speaker at this significant event is the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable July Moyo, whose insights and policy direction are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the National Energy Compact. Also expected to deliver remarks is the World Bank Zimbabwe Country Manager, Ms. Eneida Fernandes, highlighting the strong partnership and collaborative efforts between Zimbabwe and the World Bank in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.
The development of Zimbabwe’s National Energy Compact follows the Cabinet’s approval of this strategic framework, a move that underscores the government’s commitment to significantly improving energy access for all its citizens. This initiative is also an integral part of the broader Dar es Salaam Declaration, a significant outcome of the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit held earlier this year, demonstrating regional collaboration on energy issues.
The Energy Compact aligns closely with the ambitious Mission 300, a continent-wide initiative that aims to ensure millions of African households gain access to electricity by the target year of 2030. In line with this overarching goal, Zimbabwe has made a firm commitment to electrifying 3.1 million households and achieving a substantial 70 percent access to clean cooking solutions within the same timeframe, demonstrating a strong national ambition for energy transformation.
An official within the Ministry has emphasized Zimbabwe’s strategic approach, highlighting that the nation’s drive towards a sustainable, reliable, and inclusive energy future places the private sector at the very heart of its implementation strategy. The proposed National Energy Compact represents Zimbabwe’s formal pledge to achieve universal access to clean and modern energy services by 2030, an ambitious undertaking that the government acknowledges cannot be successfully realized without strong and active participation from the private sector, bringing in crucial investment, innovation, and expertise.
With the establishment of the right partnerships and a conducive investment climate, Zimbabwe is actively laying a solid foundation for a more resilient and sustainable energy sector. This future energy landscape is envisioned not only to power economic growth across various sectors but also to ensure long-term environmental sustainability and social inclusivity for all Zimbabweans. The National Consultation Indaba represents a critical step in realizing this vision through collaborative dialogue and strategic alignment.