Online Reporter
Trust Freddy, Harare Bureau
MORE than 35 000 households have been connected to the national electricity grid since January, while electrification of clinics across the country has reached 92 percent, as the Second Republic accelerates efforts towards universal energy access.
The national electrification drive has also seen 62 percent of primary schools and 82 percent of secondary schools connected to power, with Powertel now mandated to provide internet services to all schools linked to the grid.
The programme is part of President Mnangagwa’s broader transformation agenda aimed at ensuring modern, affordable and sustainable energy for all citizens by 2030.
Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo presented the latest figures during the 2026 pre-budget seminar in Bulawayo, highlighting significant national progress despite resource constraints.
“We have connected 35 000 houses to the national grid and added 8,25 percent new power generation capacity, as well as constructed 750km of new power distribution lines,” he said.
Minister Moyo said the electrification of clinics — key in improving service delivery and safeguarding medicines — was nearing completion.
“When it comes to clinics, we are at 94 percent. Let’s finish these remaining clinics so that everyone in rural areas knows their pharmaceuticals are not rotting in the sun,” he said.
Minister Moyo said the Government’s target is to fully electrify schools by next year, subject to funding.
“We are at 69 percent for primary schools and expect to complete all by next year. For secondary schools, we are at 82 percent, and we want this done by 2026 so that every child has the same opportunity to learn digitally,” he said.
Since coming to power, President Mnangagwa has made concerted efforts to address power challenges in the country.
Although the Government has been funding the full installation of electricity networks to schools — including poles and grid infrastructure — many institutions have failed to pay the required Zesa connection fees, leaving infrastructure idle for years.
To address this, Minister Moyo said Zesa has now been directed to connect schools immediately without demanding upfront fees.
The Government has also ordered Powertel to ensure every electrified school receives internet connectivity.
“We have directed the Powertel to say, wherever the electricity is going, the power lines are there, come back with the backbone to have ICT and have connectivity and we then appeal to the Minister of ICT to say, can you now go and give computers and this is our plea on the Rural Electrification Fund,” said Minister Moyo.
Other key achievements, Minister Moyo said, include the launch of the energy efficiency policy and compact, development of the integrated energy resource plan, and review of the energy policy as well as successfully implementing over 344 electrification projects for 2025.
“To achieve the universal access by 2030 – we need to start budgeting toward the US$ 4,6 billion contribution from the public sector,” he said.
The minister said to achieve the energy compact targets, there is a need to prioritise resource mobilisation, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and enhance community engagement to safeguard energy infrastructure and energy security and adequacy.
“We need to start now by allocating funds to scaling up renewables and clean cooking initiatives, rehabilitating and building new networks,” he said.
