Vusumuzi Dube
Robin Muchetu
THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is set to complete 15 Village Development Units (VDUs) across Zimbabwe this year, supporting President Mnangagwa’s vision of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative — Programmes, Mr Lealem Berhanu Dinku, said that the organisation is advancing efforts around inclusive economic growth, transformational governance, environmental protection, climate change mitigation and renewable energy, all aimed at empowering Zimbabwean communities.
“Our focus this year has been on strengthening Village Development Units. Zimbabwe has 35 000 villages. Of these, we will complete 15 VDUs this year. These units address integrated community challenges, including education, health, agriculture and livelihoods, so our response is equally integrated,” said Mr Dinku.
A key area of intervention is renewable energy for productive use. UNDP aims to provide communities with clean, sustainable power sources that will enable them to run small businesses and build local enterprises, thereby increasing household incomes.
Following the devastating El Niño-induced drought last year, the UNDP implemented emergency response initiatives, including the installation of solar-powered water systems across several communities.
UNDP has also pioneered the integration of renewable energy into agriculture, helping to reduce trade-offs between energy demands and food production. “We’ve deployed solar-powered water pumps at irrigation schemes over the past three years, significantly reducing both carbon emissions and electricity costs. Drip irrigation has also been promoted to enhance efficient water-use in light of climate change,” said Mr Solomon Mutambara, UNDP Programme Manager for Climate Adaptation, Water and Energy Projects.
Mr Mutambara noted that renewable energy solutions are transforming lives, citing the deployment of biogas digesters as a clean cooking solution that has reduced respiratory illnesses in targeted communities. The energy transition is also unlocking new opportunities for young people.
“We are training youths in solar technology so they can support off-grid schools and communities. This has had a direct impact on education outcomes. For example, after the installation of a mini solar grid in Hakwata, Chipinge, some schools saw pass rates increase by more than 35 percent, and access to computers has been introduced for the first time, thereby completely transforming the learning environment,” he said.
Given the limited access to the national electricity grid in rural areas, renewable energy is stepping in to fill the gap, enabling communities to power homes and operate small enterprises. In the health sector, energy interventions have also proved vital.
“We have solarised over 1 000 health facilities across Zimbabwe. Power outages in hospitals can be a matter of life and death, which is why we prioritised this. We’ve also introduced cold chain systems to preserve critical medicines,” said Mrs Ethel Bangwayo, UNDP National Economist. — Follow @NyemneziMu.
Online Reporter