Govt to power all schools, clinics

Mukudzei Chingwere

Senior Reporter

The Government has set a target to electrify all schools and clinics across the country by the end of this year, a move that will bolster ongoing efforts to transform both the education and health sectors under the Second Republic.

This was announced by Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo, who highlighted the critical role of electricity in fostering sustainable development and improving the quality of life for citizens.

Minister Moyo was speaking in an interview ahead of the ongoing 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week, which commenced yesterday in the resort city of Victoria Falls.

The event brings together regional stakeholders to discuss innovative strategies and collaborative efforts in promoting sustainable energy within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Stakeholders at the Sustainable Energy Week are expected to discuss innovative energy solutions, financing models and the integration of renewable energy sources, all of which are vital for achieving these electrification targets.

Minister Moyo said the target to electrify all schools and clinics is not a dream but an achievable goal rooted in substantial progress already made.

President Mnangagwa has indicated his administration’s desire to increase electricity penetration across the country in line with the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.

Electrification in rural areas shows remarkable progress, with 82 percent of secondary schools, 72 percent of primary schools and 94 percent of clinics now fully electrified.

“We have a desire to electrify every primary and secondary school by this year and I have been given the numbers that we have targeted,” said Minister Moyo.

“Right now, as of last year, for the secondary schools, we were at 82 percent rural schools being electrified, in the urban areas, they are all electrified and we hope to reach 100 percent.

“Of the primary schools we are still a little bit far at 72 percent and we expect that also these will be fully electrified. Of the clinics we were at 94 percent and we expect to finalise this year.

“The use of clean energy by all those schools, 11 000 of them, clinics and schools, means they are moving away from using firewood for cooking.

“Think of all the teachers, nurses in the rural areas. We take them out of looking for firewood and they are now using clean energy that will be a huge addition to their wellbeing, which will be the same as those in the urban areas,” said Minister Moyo.

This electrification drive is a cornerstone of the Second Republic’s broader strategy to modernise public services. Since its inception, the Government has prioritised the rehabilitation and expansion of critical infrastructure in the education and health sectors.

In education, this has included the construction of numerous new schools, the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure through mechanisms like devolution funds and the implementation of competency-based curriculum.

The provision of electricity is seen as the final, critical piece of infrastructure that enables modern teaching methods, computer literacy and improved safety for pupils and staff.

In the health sector, the Government’s transformation agenda has focused on equipping clinics and hospitals to handle a wider range of services.

Electrification allows for the safe storage of vaccines through reliable refrigeration, the use of essential medical equipment and the provision of maternal and neonatal care after dark.