Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve
THE SADC Executive Secretary Mr Elias Magosi has amplified calls for intensified investment in the region’s energy sector, emphasising that universal access and energy security are fundamental to driving economic growth.
Mr Magosi was said this during the official opening the 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week in Victoria Falls on Wednesday, where he urged member states to scale up funding for power generation, transmission, distribution, and cross-border electrification initiatives.
He highlighted projects connecting Zambia-Malawi, Botswana-Zambia, and Lesotho-South Africa as critical models for regional cooperation.
“Electricity access in the SADC Region shows progress alongside persistent gaps. We must continue intensifying efforts to expand electricity access through innovative financing mechanisms, rural electrification agencies, and diversified technological approaches,” he said.
He specifically called for solutions tailored to rural and disadvantaged communities, including grid extension, smart grids, and off-grid options such as micro-grids, mini-grids, and stand-alone solar systems.
The Executive Secretary said the region is at a crossroads.
While the total installed generation capacity stands at 83 055 MW, the energy mix remains heavily reliant on coal (59 percent) and hydropower (24 percent), leaving it vulnerable to climate shocks.
He noted that the climate-related droughts of 2024-2025 had severely reduced hydropower output, exposing this fragility.
Despite these challenges, Mr Magosi reported significant progress.
Notably, 11 of the 16 SADC member states (69 percent) have now completed National Energy Compacts, a rise from just four in January 2025.
He said this commitment demonstrates strong political will to advance energy access.
He also highlighted major infrastructure advances, revealing that the Malawi-Mozambique interconnector is nearing completion and is tentatively scheduled for commissioning by June 2026.
Furthermore, the Tanzania-Zambia interconnector has secured World Bank financing and is expected to be completed by 2028, which will connect two of the remaining three mainland member states to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) grid.
In a boost to regulatory governance, Mr Magosi said all SADC member states have now established national energy regulators, with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Comoros being the most recent to do so.
However, he stressed that ambition must meet capital, pointing to the USD 18 billion financing gap identified for priority projects under the SADC RIDMP Short Term Action Plan (2023-2027).
He called on partners to support the operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund to mobilize these critical resources.
“The 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week provides a platform for dialogue that must translate into tangible results. By measuring progress and holding ourselves accountable, we can ensure that our collective efforts deliver lasting improvements in energy access and security across the Region,” he said.
