Online Reporter
Richard Muponde-Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week, to be held in Victoria Falls from February 23 to 27, marks a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe and the wider Southern African region.
The regional bloc seeks to transition to sustainable energy use to fight the effects of climate change.
The high-level gathering, to be convened by the Southern African Development Community Secretariat, comes at a time when the region faces mounting pressure to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources.
With the event expected to be officiated by President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe stands uniquely positioned to convert diplomatic hosting into tangible leadership in sustainable energy.
The theme of the meeting, “Driving Regional Economic Growth through Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency”, aligns squarely with the SADC Protocol on Energy, which seeks to raise renewable power’s contribution to at least 35 percent by 2030.
For Zimbabwe, the event is not merely ceremonial; it is an opportunity to assert continental relevance in the green transition.
The heavy burden of fossil fuels in region
For decades, Southern Africa’s energy architecture has been dominated by coal and petroleum.
This dependence has produced a triple crisis — environmental degradation, energy insecurity and economic vulnerability.
Coal-fired power generation, still accounting for roughly 62 percent of the regional energy mix, has significantly contributed to greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate variability across the region.
The ripple effects are now painfully evident.
Recurring droughts have undermined hydropower output in the Zambezi basin.
Heatwaves have strained already fragile electricity infrastructure.
Rural communities across SADC continue to rely heavily on wood fuel, accelerating deforestation and land degradation.
At the same time, volatile global oil prices have exposed import-dependent economies to fiscal shocks.
Climate-induced disasters such as Cyclone Idai and prolonged dry spells have further demonstrated that fossil fuel dependence carries both environmental and socio-economic costs.
The urgency for a just energy transition is, therefore, no longer theoretical; it is existential.
Regional measures to combat climate change
Recognising these threats, SADC has steadily strengthened its policy framework.
The updated SADC Protocol on Energy emphasises harmonised national policies, expanded cross-border electricity trading through the Southern African Power Pool and accelerated uptake of renewable technologies.
The regional Just Energy Transition Framework also seeks universal access to clean, affordable energy by mid-century.
Concrete steps are underway.
Member states are promoting energy-efficient appliances, investing in grid interconnections and mobilising blended finance to crowd in private capital.
The SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) has intensified technical support for clean cooking solutions and mini-grid deployment, particularly in underserved rural areas.
The push for local manufacturing of renewable components, highlighted among the 18 recommendations from the inaugural Botswana Energy Week, signals a strategic shift from mere consumption to value addition.
Zimbabwe’s growing footprint in sustainable energy
Zimbabwe has made notable strides in aligning national policy with regional ambitions.
The country has expanded solar independent power producer projects, promoted net metering frameworks and rolled out rural electrification schemes anchored in renewables.
The Government has also prioritised clean cooking solutions and energy efficiency measures within the national development strategies
Perhaps most strategically significant is the country’s vast lithium endowment.
With global demand for battery minerals surging, the country has moved beyond raw mineral exports towards value addition.
Steps to establish a lithium battery manufacturing facility represents a decisive step towards participating in the full green energy value chain.
President Mnangagwa has repeatedly underscored this vision.
Speaking ahead of the Sustainable Energy Week, he remarked: “Zimbabwe is fully committed to championing sustainable energy solutions that secure our environment and future generations. Our abundant lithium resources must serve as a catalyst for industrialisation and regional energy security. We will continue to create an enabling environment that attracts investment into renewable technologies and battery manufacturing. Through collaboration with our SADC brothers and sisters, we aim to accelerate universal access to clean and affordable energy. The time for Africa to lead in the global energy transition is now.”
Hosting the Sustainable Energy Week places Zimbabwe at the centre of regional energy diplomacy.
To translate this advantage into lasting leadership, the country must deepen policy consistency, scale up bankable renewable projects and strengthen public-private partnerships, in line with the SADC Protocol on Energy.
Zimbabwe can consolidate its position by accelerating lithium beneficiation, expanding domestic battery production and integrating renewable energy into mining operations.
Strengthening research collaboration between universities, industry and SACREEE would further anchor innovation locally.
Enhancing transmission infrastructure and actively leveraging the Southern African Power Pool would also enable Zimbabwe to become a net exporter of clean electricity.
Equally important is regulatory predictability. Investors in renewable energy and storage technologies require transparent licensing, stable tariffs and efficient grid access. Through refining these frameworks, Zimbabwe can transform resource potential into industrial reality.
Government policy alone cannot deliver the energy transition.
Citizens must embrace sustainable practices in their daily lives. Households are encouraged to adopt solar home systems, biogas digesters and energy-efficient appliances.
Communities should intensify afforestation efforts and reduce reliance on firewood, which continues to drive deforestation across rural Zimbabwe.
Participation by the private sector, from solar installers to green financiers, will be crucial to scaling solutions.
Educational institutions and civil society must also amplify awareness campaigns so that sustainable energy becomes a national culture rather than a niche initiative.
The 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week comes at a decisive juncture for both Zimbabwe and the region. With supportive regional frameworks, growing investor interest and unmatched lithium reserves, Zimbabwe possesses the ingredients required to lead Southern Africa’s green transformation.
What remains is decisive execution. If Zimbabwe leverages the Victoria Falls platform to forge partnerships, scale manufacturing and mobilise citizens towards clean energy adoption, the country can move from participant to pacesetter in the regional energy transition.
The moment is ripe. The platform is set. Zimbabwe must now step forward and power SADC’s sustainable future.
