Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe Zimpapers Business Hub
THE liberalisation of the electricity retail space continues to draw private capital, with another firm moving to enter the market amid Government’s push to widen access to power.
This follows Government’s recent approval of private sector participation in the retailing and distribution of electricity — a major policy shift intended to fast-track the country’s drive towards universal access to electricity by 2030.
In a public notice issued today, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) said it has received an application for an electricity retail supply licence from Kanona Power Zimbabwe (Private) Limited.
“Notice is hereby issued in terms of section 4(3) of the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations, 2008 published in Statutory Instrument 103 of 2008 that the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has received an application for an electricity retail supply licence from Kanona Power Zimbabwe (Private) Limited.
“The licence authorises the company to purchase electricity from various sources including local and regional suppliers and sell it to its customers and for that purpose engage in the purchasing, selling and trading of electricity,” reads part of the notice.
ZERA said the application by Kanona Power Zimbabwe (Private) Limited was submitted in terms of Sections 40, 44 and 46 of the Electricity Act (Chapter 13:19).
The application underscores growing private sector interest in Zimbabwe’s evolving energy market, as authorities open up the electricity value chain to enhance competition, efficiency and investment.
Government has lined up an ambitious pipeline of power generation projects under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2), targeting an increase in installed capacity from about 2 950MW to 6 000MW.
Boosting generation and supply capacity is seen as critical as the country accelerates progress towards Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an empowered upper-middle-income society.
NDS 2 — the country’s second five-year development plan identifies reliable and affordable energy as a key enabler of industrialisation, digitalisation and broad-based economic growth.
Electricity remains the backbone of modern economic development, supporting manufacturing productivity, mining operations, public service delivery, irrigation agriculture, rural industrialisation, e-mobility and digital connectivity.
Energy experts have consistently warned that without a stable and affordable power supply, the aspirations of Vision 2030 will remain out of reach.
In support of this transformation, the 2026 National Budget indicates that strategic investment mobilisation of more than US$9 billion is envisaged for the 2025–2030 period, with about US$4.4 billion expected to come from the private sector, complemented by public funding and development partner support.
Bongani Ndlovu