The Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, is set to host the landmark 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week (SADC SEW) at The Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls from 23 to 27 February 2026.
This premier regional flagship event is convened in partnership with the SADC Secretariat and the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), marking a significant step in the region’s journey toward a cleaner, more resilient power landscape.
Themed “Driving Regional Economic Growth through Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency,” the week-long gathering serves as a critical platform to move beyond high-level dialogue into actionable investment and innovation. The event will be officially opened by His Excellency President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and is expected to attract over 500 participants, including SADC Energy Ministers, international financiers, and private sector leaders.
The 2026 program is built around six strategic thematic areas: Policy and Governance, Universal Access and Just Transition, Financing and Innovation, Grid Interconnectivity, Energy Efficiency in Industry, and Emerging Solutions like green hydrogen and artificial intelligence.
A major technical highlight of the week is the 9th SOLTRAIN+ Conference, hosted by the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). This specialized conference will showcase renewable heating and cooling technologies and highlight demonstration projects from across the region.
Additionally, the event will introduce the inaugural SADC SEW Awards, designed to recognize and celebrate excellence in energy innovation and access. Participants will also engage in technical site visits around Victoria Falls, offering a firsthand look at practical energy solutions that balance natural power with modern engineering.
For the private sector, the week provides a dynamic Business-to-Business (B2B) forum, featuring extensive exhibitions and investment matchmaking sessions. These interactions are specifically designed to catalyse business partnerships and secure the financing necessary to bridge the region’s energy access gap.
From exploring carbon trading to discussing the implementation of National Energy Compacts under Africa Mission 300, the 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week is positioned as a defining moment for the Southern African Development Community. The event will unite policymakers with cutting-edge technology providers, and also aims to ensure that clean and reliable energy becomes a driver of industrial competitiveness and a right for every citizen in the region.