With the upcoming Sustainable Energy Week in Victoria Falls from the 23th of February 2026, Zimbabwe is set to welcome all Sadc countries who will be exchanging ideas on how to improve power generation from their respective countries. With the interest being centered on Mission 300, Zimbabwe stands as a perfect example of a fast implementer, a role model of choice in terms of execution, planning, designing and it's ease of doing business. Sadc has not been spared from the devastating effects of climate change, which has left the continent under extreme energy poverty. An example of how climate change has caused the collapse of industries in southern Africa is the lower water levels which the Zambezi River usually experience. At some point Kariba Hydro Power Station would generate as low as 300MW which brought Zambia and Zimbabwe to an 18 hour load shading. This is where Zimbabwe became more innovative, more aggressive in trying to mitigate these unwarranted and unexpected natural economic disruptions.
The importance of national engagement
As Industries became more reliant on generators, these unsustainable and heavy polluters of our environment did not only affect the environment, but they caused more damage to the economy by creating inflation on all services. The cost of living for an ordinary Zimbabwean and Zambian was now affecting them deep into their small savings. Medical care became unaffordable, the prices of food were now beyond the reach of every citizen. As these challenges continued to affect our economies, the Zimbabwean government had to bring in short term solutions to quickly counter these unsustainable costs of doing business. A national engagement was done through the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa where policymakers, economists and energy experts like Edzai Kachirekwa were called upon to deliver an immediate solution to the energy crisis which had affected Zimbabwe for a long time. These discussions did not end in Boardrooms and conferences, but action was set in motion, nobody was given a chance to sleep on duty, it was time for deliverables, and indeed 600MW was installed within 18 months by the government of Zimbabwe. As the government began to lead by example, the private sector through government support began to lobby for the reduction of taxes on all clean energy projects.
Results of government and private sector collaborations
Zimbabwe’s energy shortages did not require a solo movement, it needed all constructive voices, international investors, the World bank, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, International monetary fund, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Energy and Power Development, the private sector with representatives from different energy experts. As we all know, the country needed to engage everyone for a possible solution which will serve the interests of the nation. Governments are chosen by its citizens, and to have citizen participation, the government of Zimbabwe allowed a direct interaction with its own people, from the grassroots of rural Mutoko to Nyamandlovu in search of a possible solution to the persistent energy crisis which had crippled Zimbabwe, however a solution was found through these engagements. Zimbabwe boldly declared that the energy sector should be completely liberalised. This was not just a win for the government, but it was a total success to empower its citizens, revival of Industries, quick-starting of the economy. Soon after that policy change in October of 2025, international energy investors flooded Zimbabwe within 72 years. Energy experts like Kachirekwa who worked tirelessly for the liberalisation of the sector took this good news to all corners of the world.
European Union finally joins Zimbabwe in its quest for energy transition
Zimbabwe is a friend to all , was not just a political mantra or a political statement, it was a blueprint, a national call for unity, a call for development, a roadmap towards recovery . Above all ,it was a genuine call to forget and to forgive each other on past misunderstandings. A long handshake was stretched to England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany and many other European countries. Zimbabwe is not what others said, She is a peaceful mother ready to host its visitors , She is not just a member but She is a trusted partner of International choice.The British government has been instrumental in assisting in the energy efficiency blueprint of Zimbabwe, this is a sign of global brotherhood and sisterhood. As the EU continues to support Zimbabwe without restrictions, I would like to personally congratulate the European Union for their positive direction on Zimbabwe. You have been our role models for years, you have been our friends and longtime partners in business and policy crafting. Today Zimbabwe is welcoming you through the quality leadership of the Zimbabwean government.
Immediate sustainable energy support
Europe is a shining example of renewable energy implementers, and as Zimbabwe continue to install its clean electricity into the national grid, our current minimum power demand is 16GW, this demand is in our national energy compact which has the involvement of the European Union and other friends of Zimbabwe. As a country which has set its developmental goals by 2030, our transmission lines require an urgent overhaul and expansion.These projects are now going to be much easier through the involvement of the British and other European countries. Zimbabwe is blessed with human capital, all it requires are investors who will work with the locals to achieve 16GW by 2035. Zimbabwe needs to attain it s number two position in southern Africa and to become the 4th largest economy by 2035.
National mindset recalibration
The main benefits of citizen-mindset recalibration is mainly to re-align the current generation with global trends.Most of our citizens are into trading, informality, and microwave way of doing business. This mindset has brought gaps between the investors and the local citizens. I, therefore, continue to encourage more public awareness and engagements on the proper direction of carrying our businesses to the next level.
With the Great Leadership of John Mushayavanhu and Mthuli Ncube on the helm of the Ministry of Finance, I believe Zimbabwe will continue to make strides in its quest to become an upper-middle economy by 2030.
As SADC countries meet in Victoria Falls on Monday the 23rd ,Zimbabwe Welcomes you to the Jewel of Africa, the majestic Victoria Falls will make your visit a memorable one.
Welcome to Zimbabwe .
Tigashire.
One SADC
One Africa.
One Energy Market.
Connecting citizens with the future
Not only did Zimbabwe empower its citizens, but it connected them with their future. As the country continues to share its mineral resources with its own citizens, Zimbabweans are constructing Industries which will manufacture lithium batteries, electric vehicles, gas powered generators, photovoltaic panels, transformers and and pharmaceutical companies. As the country continues to compete on the global market, one of the biggest Lithium processing plants in the world is now a permanent residence of Zimbabwe. Africa's largest steel manufacturing plant is now also in Zimbabwe, not to be outdone is our platinum. This connection of citizens with their resources is clear testament of a well managed economy. Our vocational training centers, Polytechnics and University have become incubation hubs for a well refined Engineer, Doctor , Scientists, and many more professionals who are part of this connection. The power of citizen engagements has continued to dominate in every sector of its economy, every modern infrastructure which we see today is a product of Zimbabweans. With the correct coordination and infusion of different skills , our economy has become a syllabus to the world. Now that Sustainable Development Goal number seven has yielded results in the reduction of Load-shedding to the citizens of Zimbabwe, our connection with both the Mother Earth and policy implementation should continue to attract domestic investors who has the capacity to increase production in every sector of the economy.
As a proud African citizen, there should be no room to leave anyone behind this energy revolution which will make both Zimbabwe and Africa as the best destination of Investments.