ZIMBABWE’S push to achieve universal electrification of public institutions has entered its final phase, with the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) committing the bulk of its 2026 budget to completing outstanding connections in schools and health facilities.
The accelerated programme aims to close the infrastructure gap in rural areas, where unreliable electricity has long constrained education and healthcare delivery. With thousands of schools and clinics already connected, authorities say the focus has now shifted to clearing the backlog before year-end under a government directive for full electrification of all public institutions.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) board approved a ZiG7 billion budget for 2026, allocating nearly four-fifths to project implementation as the government accelerates efforts to meet a directive to electrify all public institutions by year-end.
REA spokesperson Johannes Nyamayedenga said the budget reflected a shift in focus from planning to execution.
“The stakeholder has directed that all public institutions must be completed this year, hence the need to allocate a big chunk of the budget to project implementation,” he said.
Of the total budget, 79% — more than ZiG5,6 billion — will go towards rolling out electrification projects across rural Zimbabwe, targeting schools, clinics and other public facilities.
Out of 10 773 identified institutions, 8 383 have already been electrified and commissioned, leaving 2 390 still to be connected.
The agency said it would clear the remaining institutions this year through a mix of grid extension and solar-powered systems.
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The accelerated rollout highlights the importance of energy access in rural development, particularly in improving education and healthcare delivery.
In schools, electrification has improved learning conditions by enabling the use of digital tools and expanding science education that depends on electricity-powered equipment.
Teachers in rural areas are increasingly adopting new technologies, helping to narrow the digital divide between urban and rural education systems.
Health centres have also benefited, with electricity improving service delivery through longer operating hours, better lighting and reliable vaccine storage through refrigeration.
The 2026 budget, aligned with the National Development Strategy 2, underscores government efforts to close the rural electrification gap and ensure universal access to power for all public institutions.
