4 300 Mat North households connected in major ZETDC rollout

MORE than 4 300 households across Matabeleland North Province were connected to electricity last year as the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) intensified efforts to reticulate suburbs and link new customers to the national grid.

The electrification programme, led by ZETDC and its partners, has brought power to communities that in some cases have been waiting since 2014, creating new opportunities for development, education and local economic activity.

From Hwange to Binga, the year saw an accelerated rollout of electricity infrastructure, with Hwange recording more than 1 600 new household connections.

Key projects in Hwange included the completion of Phase Four, Stage One, which resulted in 400 homes being energised, while Stage Two has connected a further 120 households. The Dynamic area recorded 509 new connections, and around 600 houses in Kamativi were also electrified.

Pensioners living in Nguminja NRZ houses also benefitted after taking up deferred payment schemes to facilitate their connections.

Confirming the developments, Zesa stakeholder relations said the province had made significant progress.

“Matabeleland North Province has witnessed a significant leap forward in electrification, connecting communities that have waited for power since as early as 2014. The year 2025 was defined by an accelerated drive to reticulate suburbs and link new customers to the national grid, spearheaded by ZETDC and its contracted partners,” said the power utility.

Zesa said the new connections had expanded electricity access to homes, schools and businesses across the province, improving service delivery and daily living conditions.

Beyond Hwange, Lupane and Binga also recorded substantial progress. In Lupane’s Mtshibini area, 1 030 households were connected to electricity, with residents applying for power in large numbers.

“The community impact is profound, with four schools — two primary and two secondary — benefitting from deferred connection arrangements, ensuring learners study in electrified environments,” said Zesa.

In Binga, the former Garikayi Hlalani Kuhle Township, now known as Siliyambebe, was reticulated, giving about 400 households access to electricity. Another 400 homes in Manyanga Township have been connected, with only the installation of a final transformer outstanding before full customer applications resume.

Urban and peri-urban areas also saw expansion. Victoria Falls recorded major progress with the reticulation of CBZ Kazungula houses, bringing power to 500 households. Mkhosana’s BC847 area recorded 400 new connections, while work has begun in the BB7 low-density suburb, where 220 homes are expected to be completed this year.

Zesa said strategic partnerships were expected to support further electrification across the province.

“ZETC, in partnership with ZB Bank and Hotspec, is set to reticulate 310 houses in one suburb within the first quarter, with plans to extend electricity to over 2 000 clients by year-end if progress remains on course,” said the utility.