Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve,Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Government has committed to powering all primary and secondary schools and clinics in rural areas by the end of 2026 as part of a broader strategy to achieve universal energy access.
This was revealed by the Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, during recent engagements with investors in Australia.
The project aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Renewable Energy Policy and aims to address critical infrastructure gaps while fostering economic resilience in underserved communities.
Minister Moyo reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering dedication to leaving no one and no place behind in the energy transition.
Speaking to investors in Australia, he outlined the comprehensive approach being taken.
“We are convinced that by the end of 2026, all our primary schools, all our secondary schools, all our clinics in rural areas will have some form of energy. That includes the power sector, having electricity, so that no one and no place is left behind,” said Minister Moyo.
The minister highlighted the synergy between various Government programs, including the Presidential Home-Based Solar Systems initiative, which aims to install solar systems in 1.2 million households across Zimbabwe.
This effort is supported by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), which has already made progress with projects such as the installation of a 160-kilowatt solar system in Tongogara Soti Source, Gutu .
To achieve these goals, the Government is actively seeking private investment, particularly from the diaspora community.
Minister Moyo said there are attractive incentives for potential investors.
“You can actually invest in this. When you have access, you can actually net meter to ZESA, and ZESA will give you credit for what you have sent to them. So that discussion between the distributed energy sector as well as the ZESA transmission and distribution line, that has now been done and you can invest in it,” he said.
He further assured investors of streamlined financial mechanisms, including the Government Project Support Agreement (GPSA), a policy tool designed to de-risk investments through guarantees, cost-reflective tariffs, and currency convertibility provisions.
“The Minister of Finance and the Minister of Energy and the central bank, the three of us, we have signed what we call Government Project Support Agreements,” he said, addressing historical concerns about repatriation of profits and loans .
Zimbabwe’s renewable energy landscape is already evolving through initiatives like the Zimbabwe Renewable Energy Fund (REF Zimbabwe), which supports decentralized energy projects in rural areas.
With an initial US$8 million in concessional capital and an equal commitment from private partners, REF Zimbabwe is expected to grow to US$50 million by 2026.
It focuses on financing solar installations for public infrastructure, such as schools, clinics, and agro-processing facilities, while prioritizing youth- and women-led enterprises .
