SMEs have the capacity to generate 3GW, all they need is Government support

Dr ENG EDZAI KACHIREKWA

There comes a defining moment in the development of every nation when it must critically assess whether its infrastructure is keeping pace with its economic ambitions.
One fundamental question inevitably arises: Are we investing in enough productive capacity today to sustain the economy we aspire to build tomorrow?
For Zimbabwe, that question has become especially urgent in the energy sector.
The country has set its sights on accelerated industrialisation, sustained economic growth, expanded mining output, modernised agriculture, a stronger manufacturing base, digital transformation, increased investment, and greater value addition. These are bold and necessary aspirations. Yet they all depend on one indispensable enabler: a reliable, affordable, and sustainable supply of electricity.
As an electrical engineer, a high-voltage specialist, an energy entrepreneur, and someone who has spent many years working with power systems and energy infrastructure, I have come to appreciate that the energy question is never simply an energy question.
It is an economic question, an industrial question, a social question, and ultimately a national development question.
The availability of reliable electricity determines whether factories can operate at full capacity, whether mines can expand production, whether farmers can modernise irrigation, whether hospitals can provide dependable services, and whether investors can make long-term commitments with confidence.

This is why I believe Zimbabwe must begin looking at its energy future through a wider lens. Our national energy strategy cannot be built entirely around a few large generation projects or a small number of major institutions.
We need a diversified ecosystem in which Government, large corporations, international investors, financial institutions, universities, communities, and, importantly, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises all play meaningful roles.

I firmly believe that Zimbabwean SMEs have the potential to collectively contribute up to 3GW of additional generation capacity if they are given the right environment in which to operate.
This is not a suggestion that one SME will suddenly build a 3GW power station.
It is a vision of what can happen when we aggregate the capabilities of hundreds of engineering firms, renewable energy developers, technology companies, project developers, equipment suppliers, construction businesses, and innovative entrepreneurs across the country.

One company may develop a five-megawatt solar project. Another may develop 10 megawatts. A larger local developer may build a 50 megawatt facility.
Another company may invest in small hydro, while others develop biomass, waste-to-energy, battery storage, mini-grids, commercial and industrial solar, or hybrid energy systems.
When these projects are considered individually, they may appear modest compared with large national power stations. But when they are combined across the country and developed systematically over time, their collective contribution can become significant.

This is the opportunity that Zimbabwe must not overlook.

Our SMEs should not be viewed merely as small businesses that require support to survive. They must increasingly be recognised as strategic partners in national infrastructure development. Many of our local companies already possess engineers, technicians, project managers, electricians, renewable energy specialists, construction teams, and entrepreneurs who understand the country’s energy challenges because they experience them every day.
They know the local operating environment. They understand the realities of our communities. They employ Zimbabweans, develop skills, pay taxes, and create economic activity.

The question is therefore not whether Zimbabwe has the human capacity to participate in energy development. The question is whether we have created an environment that allows that capacity to be fully utilised.

For me, this is where Government support becomes critical.

When I speak about Government supporting SMEs in the energy sector, I am not suggesting that Government must build every project or finance every business. I believe the private sector must remain a major driver of investment, innovation, and project delivery.
However, Government has a fundamental responsibility to create the policy and regulatory environment in which private investment can flourish.

An entrepreneur may have a technically sound renewable energy project, a strong engineering team, and a clear understanding of the market, but if the licensing process is unnecessarily complicated, if financing is unavailable, if grid connection is uncertain, or if there is no bankable mechanism for selling the electricity produced, the project may never reach construction.

That is where we must begin to change our approach.

We need an energy environment in which capable SMEs can move from an idea to a bankable project, from a bankable project to financial close, and from financial close to construction and operation. This requires predictable policies, efficient licensing, transparent procurement, appropriate financing mechanisms, clear grid connection procedures, and commercially viable arrangements for selling electricity.
The Government does not have to replace private capital. It needs to unlock it.
There is significant capital in Zimbabwe and across the region that can potentially be directed towards energy infrastructure if the right structures are created.
Development finance institutions can play a role in project preparation and long-term lending. Commercial banks can participate where projects are properly structured. Pension funds and insurance companies can increasingly be considered as long-term infrastructure investors. International investors can bring capital and specialised technology, while local SMEs bring engineering capability, local knowledge, implementation capacity, and a deep understanding of the Zimbabwean environment.

The real opportunity lies in bringing these strengths together.

One of the biggest challenges facing energy SMEs is the financing gap. Energy projects are capital intensive and often require significant investment before they begin generating revenue. A project developer may have a viable business model but struggle to secure the long-term financing required to construct the facility. Commercial banks may be reluctant to lend for long periods, while investors may consider smaller companies too risky because they do not have the balance sheets of multinational corporations.

We therefore need to think creatively about how energy projects are financed.

Zimbabwe should explore stronger partnerships between Government, development finance institutions, commercial banks, investors, and private energy developers. Credit guarantees, blended finance, project preparation facilities, infrastructure investment vehicles, and other mechanisms can help reduce the risks that currently prevent viable projects from moving forward.
My view is simple: if a project is technically sound, commercially viable, environmentally responsible, and capable of contributing to national energy security, we should create a pathway for that project to access finance.
We cannot afford to lose good energy projects simply because the entrepreneur behind them cannot cross the gap between a good idea and financial close.
The same principle applies to Power Purchase Agreements and other mechanisms through which electricity is sold. An energy project cannot be financed on hope alone. Investors need confidence that the electricity generated will have a market and that the revenue arrangements will be sufficiently predictable to support long-term investment.
If we want SMEs to contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s generation capacity, we need a framework that allows qualified developers to enter into bankable agreements with credible off-takers. The arrangements must be transparent, predictable, commercially viable, and supported by a regulatory environment that gives investors confidence.

The energy sector requires long-term thinking.

A solar plant may operate for twenty years or more. A transmission line may serve communities for decades. A substation may become the foundation for an entire industrial zone. A hydroelectric facility may contribute to the economy for generations. This means that our energy policies cannot be designed only around short-term considerations. We must think in terms of twenty, thirty, and even forty years.

As engineers, we understand the importance of planning for future demand. A power system must be designed not only to meet today’s load but also to anticipate tomorrow’s growth. Population increases. Cities expand. Industries develop. Digital services grow. Data centres emerge. Electric vehicles become more common. Mining operations expand. Agricultural systems become increasingly mechanised.

Every one of these developments increases electricity demand.

If we plan only for today’s consumption, we will inevitably find ourselves dealing with tomorrow’s shortages.

This is why I believe the 3GW SME opportunity should form part of a broader national energy strategy.

We should not think of SMEs as isolated businesses developing disconnected projects. We should think of them as part of an integrated national energy ecosystem.

A solar project in one province can contribute to the national power pool. A small hydro project can support a rural community. A commercial and industrial solar developer can reduce demand on the national grid during peak periods. A battery storage project can provide flexibility and help manage the variability of renewable energy. A waste-to-energy project can address both energy and environmental challenges.

Together, these projects can create a more diversified and resilient power system.

This is where engineering becomes extremely important.

The future of energy is not simply about generating more electricity. It is about integrating different sources of generation into a stable and reliable electrical network. As an engineer, I know that adding generation capacity without considering the wider power system can create new technical challenges.

We must consider voltage regulation, frequency stability, fault levels, protection coordination, power quality, reverse power flows, transmission constraints, and grid stability. Renewable energy projects must be properly integrated into the system. Battery energy storage must be strategically deployed. Transmission and distribution infrastructure must be strengthened to accommodate new generation.

This is why I always emphasise that renewable energy is not simply about installing solar panels.

It is about engineering.

It is about system design.

It is about protection.

It is about control.

It is about reliability.

It is about long-term performance.

A solar plant that is poorly designed, poorly integrated, or poorly maintained will not deliver the value expected of it. A renewable energy project must therefore be approached with the same level of technical discipline and engineering excellence expected from any major power infrastructure.

Zimbabwe has the engineering talent to do this.

We have electrical engineers who understand power systems. We have technicians who understand installation and maintenance. We have artisans who can construct and commission infrastructure. We have young graduates who are eager to learn. We have entrepreneurs who are willing to take risks.

What we need is an environment that allows these people to participate at scale.

I believe the energy sector can become one of the greatest platforms for industrialisation in Zimbabwe.

When we build energy infrastructure, we create opportunities far beyond electricity generation. We create demand for engineering services, construction, transportation, manufacturing, telecommunications, software, financial services, and professional consultancy.

A new solar project requires electrical engineers, civil engineers, structural engineers, surveyors, project managers, procurement specialists, technicians, electricians, transporters, security services, and many other professionals.

This means that every new megawatt can potentially generate economic activity throughout an entire value chain.

That is why I believe the development of the energy sector should be deliberately linked to the development of local industry.

We should ask ourselves how much of the equipment required for our energy projects can be manufactured or assembled locally. We should examine opportunities to develop local production of mounting structures, electrical panels, distribution boards, cable management systems, battery enclosures, control equipment, and other balance-of-system components.

Of course, Zimbabwe will continue to import specialised technologies where local manufacturing is not yet commercially viable. That is normal in a global economy. But wherever we have the capability to manufacture locally, we should actively encourage it.

The energy transition should not become another opportunity where Zimbabwe imports everything and exports the economic value.

We should capture as much value as possible within our own economy.

Our SMEs must be part of that value chain.

Our engineers must be part of that value chain.

Our universities must be part of that value chain.

Our manufacturers must be part of that value chain.

Our young people must be part of that value chain.

This is how energy becomes an engine of industrial development.

Another area that requires serious attention is the development of human capital.

We cannot build a modern energy system without investing in the people who will operate it.

Zimbabwe needs more specialists in power systems engineering, high-voltage engineering, renewable energy, battery storage, power electronics, protection and control, smart grids, energy economics, energy policy, and energy technology.

Our universities must continue strengthening research and innovation in these areas. Industry must work more closely with academic institutions. Young graduates must be given opportunities to gain practical experience. Experienced engineers must mentor the next generation.

I have always believed that one of the greatest assets Zimbabwe possesses is its human capital.

Our greatest energy resource is not only the sun.

It is not only the water in our rivers.

It is not only our coal reserves.

It is our people.

A country with talented engineers, innovative entrepreneurs, skilled technicians, and determined young people has the capacity to solve difficult problems.

We must therefore invest in our people as seriously as we invest in infrastructure.

I also believe that SMEs can play a major role in developing the next generation of Zimbabwean energy professionals. Large corporations are important, but SMEs often provide young engineers with opportunities to take responsibility early in their careers. They allow people to work directly on projects, engage with clients, solve practical problems, and develop entrepreneurial thinking.

If we support the growth of these companies, we are also supporting the development of our human capital.

My vision extends beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.

I want to see Zimbabwean engineering companies becoming regional players. I want to see our engineers designing and constructing energy projects across Southern Africa. I want to see our renewable energy companies competing for projects in the region. I want to see Zimbabwean technology companies developing solutions for African energy challenges.

But to achieve that, we must first build strong companies at home.

A small engineering firm today can become a major regional EPC company tomorrow.

A young engineer today can become a leading energy entrepreneur tomorrow.

A five-megawatt project today can become a portfolio of hundreds of megawatts tomorrow.

Growth begins with opportunity.

That is why the environment we create for SMEs today will determine the strength of our energy industry tomorrow.

I believe we should also reconsider how Government procurement is structured. Where technically capable and financially qualified local SMEs can deliver projects, they should be given a genuine opportunity to compete.

This does not mean lowering standards.

It means creating fair access.

Technical competence must remain non-negotiable. Safety must remain non-negotiable. Quality must remain non-negotiable. But the size of a company should not automatically become a barrier to participation if that company can demonstrate the ability to deliver.

We must create opportunities for local companies to build their track records.

A company cannot become large without first being given opportunities to grow.

If we want to build Zimbabwean engineering champions, we must allow them to participate in projects that develop their experience, strengthen their balance sheets, and build their capabilities.

This is how today’s SMEs become tomorrow’s national infrastructure leaders.

The potential contribution of SMEs to Zimbabwe’s energy sector must also be considered within the context of rural development.

Our energy challenges are not limited to major cities.

There are communities across Zimbabwe that need reliable electricity to support economic activity. Rural electrification can transform agriculture, education, healthcare, small businesses, and community development.

SMEs are often well positioned to deliver decentralised energy solutions in these areas.

Mini-grids, solar systems, battery storage, and small hydro projects can provide reliable electricity to communities that may be difficult or expensive to connect through traditional infrastructure alone.

This does not mean that rural communities should receive inferior solutions.

On the contrary, decentralised systems must be designed professionally, with appropriate protection, maintenance, monitoring, and long-term sustainability.

The objective should be to provide reliable energy that supports real economic activity.

When a rural community receives electricity, the impact can extend far beyond lighting. It can enable refrigeration, irrigation, food processing, digital services, welding, manufacturing, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.

That is why rural energy development is also economic development.

I believe Zimbabwe can create a powerful cycle in which energy enables economic activity, economic activity creates stronger businesses, and stronger businesses create further investment in energy.

That is the cycle we must build.

As the Doctor of Electricity, my passion for this sector is deeply connected to this vision.

I do not see electricity simply as electrons flowing through conductors or megawatts appearing on a generation schedule. I see electricity as an enabler of human potential.

When we design a transmission line, we are creating a pathway for communities and industries to grow.

When we commission a substation, we are creating capacity for investment.

When we install a renewable energy system, we are providing businesses with greater energy resilience.

When we train an engineer, we are strengthening the country’s ability to solve future challenges.

When we support an SME, we are potentially creating an organisation that will employ hundreds of people and deliver infrastructure for decades.

This is why I remain so passionate about Zimbabwe’s energy future.

I want to see a Zimbabwe where energy shortages no longer dominate our economic conversations. I want to see industries operating with confidence. I want to see farmers using modern energy technologies to increase productivity. I want to see mines benefiting from reliable and increasingly sustainable power. I want to see rural communities connected to opportunity. I want to see Zimbabwean engineers leading major projects across Africa.

Most importantly, I want to see energy become a competitive advantage for Zimbabwe rather than a constraint on our development.

That will require all of us to think differently.

Government must create the enabling environment.

The private sector must bring investment and innovation.

Financial institutions must develop financing solutions that recognise the unique nature of infrastructure.

Engineers must uphold the highest standards of technical excellence.

Universities must produce knowledge and talent.

Communities must participate in projects that affect their development.

And SMEs must rise to the challenge and demonstrate that local companies can deliver quality infrastructure at world-class standards.

I believe the 3GW opportunity is a conversation worth having at the highest levels of national policy.

We need to examine the potential carefully. We need to conduct rigorous technical studies. We need to understand the investment required. We need to identify suitable technologies and locations. We need to assess grid capacity. We need to develop realistic timelines and measurable targets.

But we must not allow the need for planning to become an excuse for inaction.

We can begin.

We can build.

We can learn.

We can improve.

We can scale.

That is how infrastructure development works.

The most important thing is that we create a system that allows capable people and companies to participate.

Zimbabwe’s energy future cannot be built by Government alone. It cannot be built by large corporations alone. It cannot be built by foreign investors alone.

It must be built collectively.

And I believe our SMEs have an important role to play in that future.

The opportunity before us is much larger than the generation of electricity.

If we unlock the capacity of SMEs, we can create jobs, develop engineers, strengthen local manufacturing, attract investment, support rural communities, improve energy security, and build a new generation of Zimbabwean companies capable of competing across Africa.

That is why I believe Government support for energy SMEs should be viewed not as a cost, but as an investment in national capacity.

We should not simply ask how much it will cost to support SMEs.

We should ask how much it will cost Zimbabwe if we fail to support them.

How many projects will remain undeveloped?

How many jobs will not be created?

How many young engineers will leave the country?

How much investment will be lost?

How much industrial growth will be delayed?

How many communities will remain without reliable electricity?

These are the costs of inaction.

The opportunity is therefore clear.

Our SMEs have the potential.

Our engineers have the skills.

Our entrepreneurs have the ambition.

Our country has the resources.

What we need now is a coordinated effort to bring these strengths together.

I believe Zimbabwe can build an energy system that is diversified, reliable, resilient, sustainable, and increasingly independent. I believe we can harness our solar resources, strengthen our hydro capacity, explore new technologies, expand storage, improve energy efficiency, and modernise our transmission and distribution networks.

But above all, I believe we can build an energy industry in which Zimbabweans are not merely consumers of infrastructure but creators of it.

That is the future I want to see.

I want to see our SMEs building power plants.

I want to see our engineers designing the grid.

I want to see our manufacturers producing energy equipment.

I want to see our universities developing new technologies.

I want to see our young people building companies.

I want to see our communities benefiting from reliable electricity.

And I want to see Zimbabwe recognised not only for the energy resources it possesses, but for the engineering excellence with which it transforms those resources into national prosperity.

The journey towards energy independence will not be easy.

There will be challenges.

There will be financing constraints.

There will be technical difficulties.

There will be policy debates.

There will be projects that succeed and others that teach us valuable lessons.

But the answer is not to wait.

The answer is to build capacity.

The answer is to develop partnerships.

The answer is to support innovation.

The answer is to empower our SMEs.

The answer is to invest in our people.

The answer is to plan boldly and execute with discipline.

I have dedicated much of my professional life to energy because I believe that reliable electricity can change the trajectory of a nation.

I believe that every megawatt has the potential to create economic value.

I believe that every new substation can open the door to investment.

I believe that every electrified community can become a centre of opportunity.

I believe that every young engineer we train strengthens our national resilience.

And I believe that every Zimbabwean company we help grow increases our ability to determine our own economic future.

This is why I believe the conversation about SMEs and the potential to contribute up to 3GW must continue.

It is a conversation about energy, but it is also a conversation about industrialisation.

It is a conversation about investment.

It is a conversation about employment.

It is a conversation about innovation.

It is a conversation about national confidence.

Most importantly, it is a conversation about the Zimbabwe we want to leave for future generations.

I want to see a Zimbabwe where our children grow up in a country with reliable electricity, modern infrastructure, thriving industries, innovative businesses, and engineers who are respected across the continent.

I want to see a Zimbabwe where energy is no longer viewed primarily as a limitation, but as a foundation for opportunity.

That is my passion.

That is my vision.

And that is why I will continue advocating for greater investment in Zimbabwe’s energy sector, stronger support for our SMEs, deeper collaboration between Government and industry, and the development of a new generation of engineers and entrepreneurs who will carry this work forward.

The challenge before us is significant, but so is our potential.

If we create the right environment, I believe our SMEs can become one of the most powerful forces in Zimbabwe’s energy transformation.

We have the capacity to generate.

We have the capacity to innovate.

We have the capacity to engineer.

We have the capacity to build.

What we need is the opportunity to do so at scale.

Let us therefore unlock the potential of our SMEs.

Let us give capable entrepreneurs access to capital.

Let us create predictable policies.

Let us strengthen our grid.

Let us invest in renewable energy.

Let us develop local manufacturing.

Let us train our young engineers.

Let us encourage innovation.

Let us build partnerships.

And let us create an energy system that can support the Zimbabwe we aspire to become.

Because when we generate electricity, we are not simply producing power.

We are creating the foundation for industry.

We are enabling agriculture.

We are supporting healthcare.

We are strengthening education.

We are creating jobs.

We are attracting investment.

We are empowering entrepreneurs.

We are opening opportunities for communities.

And ultimately, we are powering the future of our nation.

I believe Zimbabwe can power itself.

I believe our SMEs can be part of that solution.

And I believe that, with the right support, the 3GW opportunity can become a catalyst for a new era of energy security, industrialisation, and economic growth.

That is the Zimbabwe I see.

That is the Zimbabwe I believe in.

And that is the energy future I will continue to work towards.

Dr Engineer Kachirekwa is a renowned Energy Expert, Founder, CEO & Transmission Director for Power Giants Africa