Sadc energy indaba starts

IT is all systems go for the 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week (SEW), which officially begins today in Victoria Falls.

Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, has declared the regional indaba a vital platform for driving economic growth through clean energy.

Speaking at a press conference in Victoria Falls yesterday, Minister Moyo confirmed that delegates are already arriving in the resort city for the high‑level gathering, which runs from February 23 to 27.

“The first hosting of our delegates starts tomorrow (today), where we welcome people. We are not officially opening tomorrow, but we are welcoming everyone because meetings will in earnest begin tomorrow (today),” said Minister Moyo.

This year’s edition is being held under the theme: “Driving Regional Economic Growth through Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency.”

Endorsed by SADC Energy Ministers, SEW has established itself as the region’s premier annual platform for advancing investment, cooperation and knowledge exchange in sustainable energy.

Minister Moyo said while the official opening is scheduled for Wednesday, critical behind‑the‑scenes diplomacy has already begun.

“Today, as you might know, we have a meeting that has been arranged, and we are meeting some of the ministers and delegates that have come, but we are dealing with specific issues such as the transmission system between us and Zambia, between us and South Africa,” he said.

Eswatini’s Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Prince Lonkhokhela, is also participating in these closed‑door technical discussions.

“They want to understand how transmissions are going to take place. But it’s a privately arranged meeting that will start today. So, tomorrow we start in this room, and we welcome the delegates and we start our programmes in earnest,” Moyo added.

Hosted by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Energy and Power Development, the SADC Secretariat and the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), the week‑long event has drawn participation from across the continent and beyond.

Minister Moyo confirmed that while President Mnangagwa is the designated official opener, the event will be formally opened on Wednesday by Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga.

“He will officially open on behalf of the President on Wednesday, and we expect that by that time all the ministers who are coming and all the delegations will have arrived,” said Moyo.

He said that the Ministerial High‑Level Segment featuring Heads of Delegation will present progress on their National Energy Compacts.

“That ministerial segment gives an opportunity to all the ministers and or heads of delegations to talk about what is happening in their country. In our own case, obviously, we will be talking about our energy compact which we launched last year and how that is going to achieve our Vision 2030,” he said.

The event has attracted heavyweight sponsors and partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank. AfDB Vice-President Dr Kevin Kariuki is expected to attend.

Beyond the plenaries, the week will feature a cultural gala dinner sponsored by Old Mutual, a dedicated session on women in energy to be addressed by Women’s Affairs Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, and sponsored tours of Victoria Falls for delegates.

Minister Moyo also noted that Eswatini has sent a strong delegation with a specific mission to learn how to host the event next year.

“The reason why Eswatini came much earlier is because they are the ones where SADC and SACREEE have said they will host next year.

“So, they are eager to come and learn what Zimbabwe has been able to do. The minister who you saw is not just coming too early, he is wanting to say, ‘Zimbabwe, let’s learn from what you have done so that we do not repeat whatever mistakes you have made’,” he said.