Leading corporate players and energy sector stakeholders from Zimbabwe and Zambia converged in Harare this week for the Energy Forum for Africa (EFA) networking event, a high-level gathering designed to foster cross-border partnerships and tackle southern Africa’s persistent electricity challenges.
The event brought together government officials, private sector executives, financiers, energy consultants, and independent power producers (IPPs), all united by a shared goal: developing collaborative strategies to ensure sustainable and reliable energy in the region. Organised by Zambian engineer Hope Chanda, the Harare meeting served as a precursor to the main EFA conference, which is scheduled to take place in Lusaka next month.
Discussions during the forum focused on strengthening synergies among IPPs, government agencies, financial institutions, and technical consultants. Delegates explored how integrated approaches could improve electricity access, reduce costs, and encourage private investment in the power sector.
Speaking at the event, Benson Munyaradzi, Director of Policy and Planning at Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Energy and Power Development, highlighted the country’s ongoing efforts to collaborate with financiers, developers, and technology innovators. These partnerships are key to delivering projects ranging from large-scale solar farms to community-based mini-grid expansions.
“We have recently developed the National Energy Compact, a strategic roadmap designed to ensure affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity for all citizens by 2030,” Munyaradzi said. “Some of the compact’s targets include electrifying 3.1 million households and achieving 70% clean energy access, reducing our dependence on traditional fuels such as firewood.”
He emphasised that the initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and supports the continental Mission 300 objective, launched in January 2025 in Dar es Salaam. Mission 300 aims to expand electricity access across Africa, ensuring that millions of households gain reliable energy by 2030.
The forum also spotlighted the role of legal and strategic alliances in unlocking the energy sector’s potential. A key announcement highlighted a new partnership between EFA and Absolom and Shepherd Attorneys, signalling the growing importance of legal frameworks and advisory support in facilitating investments and operational efficiency.
Shepherd Machigere, Managing Partner at Absolom and Shepherd Attorneys, stressed that cross-sector collaboration is critical to closing Africa’s energy deficit. “We must integrate legal expertise, financial strategies, and technical know-how to address the challenges facing the sector,” Machigere said.
Zimbabwe and Zambia Forge Energy Partnerships at Harare Forum
Event organiser Hope Chanda praised the collaboration observed during the Harare meeting, expressing confidence that joint efforts between Zimbabwean and Zambian stakeholders could transform the regional energy landscape.
“The collaboration and enthusiasm we have witnessed today reaffirm that we are on the right path,” Chanda said. “Our goal is to create a sustainable energy future for Africa — one where we share resources, expertise, and investments to overcome the challenges that hinder growth.”
Delegates highlighted the importance of pooling resources across borders to expand electricity access in both urban and rural communities. Participants also explored financing models that could attract private investors while ensuring projects remain accessible and affordable for end-users.
The Harare forum was widely hailed as a significant step toward establishing a more integrated and sustainable regional energy network. Stakeholders agreed that by leveraging public-private partnerships, cross-border collaboration, and innovative financing mechanisms, southern Africa can close its energy gap and unlock economic growth potential.
Beyond investment and policy discussions, the forum reinforced the need for technology transfer, capacity building, and skills development in the energy sector. Experts underscored the value of knowledge exchange between countries, citing successful models from renewable energy projects in both Zimbabwe and Zambia as examples for future replication.
The event concluded with a commitment to continue dialogue and cooperation ahead of the main EFA conference in Lusaka, where strategies formulated in Harare will be refined and presented to a broader continental audience. The aim is to establish concrete partnerships that will facilitate large-scale energy projects, encourage innovation, and provide sustainable solutions for millions of people across the region.
As Zimbabwe and Zambia deepen their cooperation, stakeholders expressed optimism that such initiatives will not only address immediate electricity shortages but also lay the groundwork for a more resilient, efficient, and equitable energy system in southern Africa.
The Harare meeting underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning in overcoming energy challenges. By building strong regional partnerships, the forum has set the stage for a future where southern Africa’s energy sector can meet rising demand, drive industrialisation, and contribute to the continent’s broader socio-economic development goals.
Source – Bulawayo24
