ZIMBABWE will host the 2026 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Sustainable Energy Week in Victoria Falls next February, in a move expected to strengthen regional cooperation and unlock investment in renewable energy.
The high-level gathering will bring together heads of state, policymakers, investors, development partners and private sector players from across the region to discuss strategies for scaling up sustainable energy generation in support of industrial development.
In an interview with the media yesterday, Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, said the event would serve as a critical platform for mobilising investment and accelerating the transition to renewable energy across SADC member states.
“The 2026 Sustainable Energy Week will bring together heads of state and stakeholders to mobilise investment in renewable energy. Development partners, banks, pension funds and energy investors will engage on ways of increasing power generation to drive the region’s industrial development,” Minister Moyo said.
The conference is expected to attract a broad range of participants involved in renewable energy generation, infrastructure development and financing, reflecting the growing emphasis on clean and sustainable power solutions within the region.
Power Giants Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Edzai Kachirekwa, underscored the importance of private sector involvement in addressing persistent energy deficits.
“The private sector is key in addressing energy challenges, and there is a need for a conducive environment to foster investment. This event will help address these issues,” Engineer Kachirekwa said.
Lanforce Energy executive director, Ms Judith Marera, said the forum would also provide an opportunity to showcase practical renewable energy solutions already being implemented.
“We are involved in biogas energy generation, and it is of paramount importance to drive renewable energy initiatives. We will attend the conference as exhibitors, and one of our flagship projects in Victoria Falls will be toured by delegates to showcase our work,” Ms Marera said.
The conference will be officially opened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has repeatedly called for regional collaboration to address energy shortages. In his State of the Nation Address, the President emphasised the need for SADC countries to work together to develop sustainable energy solutions.
Zimbabwe is currently adding more than 70 megawatts of electricity to the national grid from renewable energy projects, following Government measures aimed at promoting investment in the sector.
