Govt partners universities to drive solar innovation
STAFF WRITER
Government is forging new ground in its clean energy ambitions by partnering with universities to spearhead solar innovation and local manufacturing, Business Times can report.
Speaking at the International Renewable Energy Conference and Expo in Victoria Falls, Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, disclosed that Cabinet has approved collaboration with Chinhoyi University of Technology aimed at building local capacity in solar technologies.
He said government was also in discussions with other universities.
“We want to partner with our universities,” Moyo said.
“Last week, Cabinet approved a project where we will work with Chinhoyi University of Technology on all aspects of solar—innovation, research, training—and hopefully begin to think about producing our own panels.”
The initiative marks a major step in Zimbabwe’s transition toward self-reliance in renewable energy, particularly in solar, as the country continues to battle power shortages.
Moyo emphasised that the government also sees potential in producing solar batteries locally, leveraging Zimbabwe’s abundant lithium reserves.
“We should begin to consider whether we can also produce our own batteries, given the lithium that we have,” he added.
The government’s partnership model aims to blend academic expertise with national development priorities—linking research and innovation to industrial application.
By engaging universities directly, authorities hope to reduce dependence on imported technologies and retain more value within the local economy.
The move also aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader energy policy goals: expanding access to electricity, boosting industrial productivity, and supporting rural electrification—all through sustainable, renewable sources.
“We believe in investing in research and education so that our solutions are homegrown and sustainable,” said Moyo.
As Zimbabwe positions itself as a potential leader in Africa’s renewable energy landscape, the collaboration between government and academia could be the key to unlocking lasting energy resilience and industrial competitiveness.
