Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) will place its energy matrix under critical scrutiny during the highly anticipated Joint Meeting of Committees of Ministers responsible for Energy and for Water, scheduled for 4 July in Harare.
The high-level session will be preceded by a technical meeting of Senior Officials on Energy and Water from 30 June to 2 July 2025, where groundwork will be laid for the ministerial deliberations 8.
At the centre of discussions in the energy sector will be the current status of energy demand and supply in the SADC region, as well as the implementation of major regional infrastructure projects intended to bolster energy security and integration.
In a statement, the SADC Secretariat said, “The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will convene the Joint Meeting of the Committees of Ministers responsible for Energy and responsible for Water in Harare, Republic of Zimbabwe, on 4 July 2025. This ministerial meeting aims to strengthen regional collaboration and assess progress on key initiatives in the energy and water sectors.”
The meeting comes at a time when energy deficits, inconsistent electricity access, and growing climate pressures continue to challenge regional development. Notably, the uptake of renewable energy within the SADC energy mix will be a focus, as Member States increasingly look to solar, wind, hydro, and other sustainable sources to meet growing energy demands 1214.
Also on the agenda is the region’s preparedness for the implementation of the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Mission 300, a bold initiative that aims to provide electricity access to at least 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 10. The Ministers are expected to examine concrete steps and timelines towards achieving this transformative goal.
Critical debates will also revolve around the development and regulation of petroleum and gas subsectors, emerging technologies including green hydrogen, and the integration of smart grids. The regional Stakeholders’ Dialogue on a Just Energy Transition Framework for the SADC region will feed into policy discussions, with emphasis on inclusive and equitable transformation across Member States.
The Ministers will also reflect on the SADC Energy Sustainable Week outcomes and initiate planning for the next event, reinforcing the bloc’s commitment to long-term regional energy cooperation.
Meanwhile, the water sector will also receive substantial attention. “Ministers will assess progress on regional and transboundary water projects led and implemented by River Basin Organisations and Shared Water Institutions,” the Secretariat stated. Deliberations will touch on the delivery of water and sanitation services in SADC Member States, implementation of previous Council decisions, and ongoing support for groundwater and livelihood grant projects.
Key climate-related infrastructure initiatives, including the World Bank-supported Regional Climate Resilience Project and the SADC Hydrological Cycle Observation System (SADC-HYCOS), will be reviewed as part of regional efforts to build resilience against climate change impacts. A review of the SADC Water Policy and other vital policy frameworks is also expected.
The Joint Ministerial session will be further marked by the 30th Anniversary of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), which was established in August 1995 to foster power cooperation and energy trading among SADC Member States 8. A commemorative celebration will be hosted by the Government of Zimbabwe in Harare on 3 July.
“This upcoming meeting underscores SADC’s commitment to regional integration, sustainable development, and improving access to energy and water services for all its citizens,” the Secretariat said.
As Harare prepares to host this pivotal gathering, eyes across the region will be watching closely for outcomes that could shape the future of energy security, access, and sustainability across Southern Africa.
