Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]
THE Government has set a firm year-end deadline to electrify every school in Zimbabwe, ramping up the use of solar energy and other off-grid solutions to close remaining gaps — particularly in rural schools.
The ambitious programme marks a critical shift from policy to delivery under the Second Republic, as the Government moves to ensure no learning institution remains without power, a key enabler for modern education.
The school electrification programme dovetails with the Government’s broader push to modernise public services, following years of underinvestment in critical infrastructure.
Speaking during a renewable energy conference in Esigodini on Friday, Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo said about 75 percent of schools are already electrified, with the final phase now targeting hard-to-reach areas that have lagged behind
He said the Government is now focused on shifting from policy to delivery, with authorities signalling an aggressive push to ensure no school is left in the dark.
“We have made a deliberate decision, supported by Cabinet and His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa, that this is the year we must finish electrifying all our schools — both secondary and primary,” said Minister Moyo.
The electrification drive dovetails with Zimbabwe’s broader energy strategy, which targets 2 100 megawatts of power generation by 2030, with solar energy expected to play a leading role through Public-Private Partnerships and increased private sector participation.
The urgency reflects a broader strategy to use decentralised solar systems to bridge infrastructure gaps, particularly in rural communities where grid extension has been slow and costly. The Government is also prioritising water infrastructure, with several dam projects and widespread borehole drilling underway to counter recurrent droughts.
While secondary schools are nearing full coverage — at about 82 to 84 percent, Minister Moyo said primary schools, especially in remote areas, remain the main focus, currently standing at just over 70 percent.
Minister Moyo said the programme is no longer just about infrastructure provision, but about transforming the education sector by enabling digital learning, improving safety and extending study hours for pupils.
“This is about ensuring that every child, regardless of location, has access to the same opportunities. Electricity is a key enabler in that regard,” he said.
Minister Moyo noted that electricity is an invaluable commodity and urged other players in the energy sector to contribute to the supply side of electricity through renewable energy.
“We know that we are almost three-quarters of the way, or almost more than three-quarters of the way. In some provinces, solarisation or electrification of clinics is now 100 percent,” he said.
Beyond education, renewable energy is expected to drive productivity in key sectors such as agriculture and small-scale mining, while also easing pressure on the national grid.
Full article on www.chronicle.co.zw
Since its inception, the Second Republic has prioritised the rehabilitation and expansion of critical infrastructure in the education and health sectors.
To accelerate access, the Government is promoting both grid extension and decentralised systems such as solar, biogas and LPG, particularly in underserved communities.
To sustain the momentum, Zimbabwe is also strengthening technical capacity in renewable energy through the establishment of a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre at Chinhoyi University of Technology, with support from the International Solar Alliance.
The centre will focus on skills development and innovation in solar technologies, positioning the country to support its growing reliance on clean energy.
The conference, held under the theme “Harnessing Solar PV for Productive Use in Agriculture, Artisanal Mining and Rural Communities for Sustainable Development,” highlighted the central role of solar power in the country’s development agenda.
