THE National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has just demonstrated what deliberate efficiency can achieve.
Between April and June this year, it registered 111 new power generation facilities with a combined capacity of 1 916 megawatts (MW), representing investment worth R51,91 billion (US$2,95 billion).
Each project was processed in an average of just 11 working days — a clear improvement from last year’s 15-day turnaround.
Solar projects dominated, underscoring how quickly South Africa is adapting to its abundant natural resources.
In short, the neighbouring country is creating an enabling environment where investors see their money move from paperwork to power lines in weeks, not years.
It is not only South Africa that is moving.
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Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique are also attracting investment into energy with far less bureaucracy than Zimbabwe.
Botswana has streamlined approval processes for renewable energy, moving swiftly to cut its dependence on imports from Eskom and turn its vast sunshine into economic gain.
Zambia has expanded its hydro and solar projects through public-private partnerships, reducing reliance on emergency imports and positioning itself as a regional power exporter.
Mozambique, despite political challenges, continues to draw significant investment into gas and hydro, securing projects that strengthen both domestic supply and exports to the region.
This shows our neighbours are not wasting time.
They have recognised one truth: energy security is the foundation of economic growth.
Meanwhile, in Harare, investors are still trapped in a maze of bureaucracy.
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency and other licensing bodies are notorious for frustrating rather than facilitating projects.
What NERSA processes in 11 days can take months, sometimes years, in Zimbabwe.
Worse still, approvals often depend not on merit, but on connections and “facilitation fees”.
Ministries jostle for control, officials play gatekeeper, and national interest is routinely sacrificed for personal gain.
Investors, who come with capital and technology, leave with nothing, but wasted time and bitter lessons.
The result is predictable: Zimbabwe remains stuck with an energy deficit, importing power at high cost while its people endure endless blackouts.
Meanwhile, potential billions in investment bypass the country entirely, flowing instead to neighbours who understand that time is money.
This is a regional lesson Zimbabwe refuses to learn.
The message from the region is loud and clear: efficiency attracts investment and investment builds capacity.
South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique are positioning themselves to power not only their industries, but also regional integration.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, is entangled in paperwork, politics and patronage networks.
Unless Harare dismantles this entrenched culture of bureaucracy and rent-seeking, Zimbabwe will remain the weak link in a region that is otherwise moving forward.
South Africa is cutting red tape.
Zambia is building dams.
Botswana is harnessing the sun.
Mozambique is unlocking gas.
And Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe is still shuffling licences from one desk to another while its people sit in the dark.
At the end of the day, Zimbabweans will be the biggest losers, left trapped in a graveyard of nothing but paperwork.