Zim–Zam commits to deepening cross-border energy collaboration

ROBIN PHIRI

The Zimbabwe–Zambia Energy Projects Summit opened yesterday at the Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort in Zambia, with both countries committing to deepen cross-border energy collaboration and unlock new opportunities for regional power investment.

The high-level gathering sets the tone for three days of intensive dialogue aimed at strengthening regional energy cooperation, catalysing private-sector participation, and accelerating Southern Africa’s clean energy transition.

Zimbabwe and Zambia reaffirmed their shared determination to ramp up joint energy initiatives, spanning power generation, transmission, and investment mobilisation, as government officials, financiers and industry leaders convened in Livingstone.

Officially opening the summit, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development Yeukai Simbanegavi said the two countries’ historic, cultural and natural ties provide a strong foundation for accelerated energy integration.

“I believe our efforts to develop our two economies should embrace bilateral projects and programmes of mutual benefits to our people, in both countries. Furthermore, our two countries are poised to make a huge impact in the SADC region and beyond,” she said.

Simbanegavi underscored the strategic relevance of joint planning, noting that Zimbabwe and Zambia share critical hydropower assets along the Zambezi River and possess mineral endowments essential for new clean-energy technologies.

As Zimbabwe transitions from NDS1 to NDS2, she said the government expects a sharp rise in private-sector energy investment. At least eight Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the commercial and industrial sectors are advancing clean-coal projects capable of delivering over 1,000MW by 2030.

She stressed the urgency of closing the financing gap:

“The underlying theme in these licenced projects is that funding and financial risk mitigation facilities are urgently required particularly from Development Finance Institutions (DFIs). I believe that the above cited developments are a result of reforms in the sector, and the multiple incentives that the Government of Zimbabwe introduced, to promote private sector participation in the sector. The latest of such reforms is the downward revision of licencing and permit fees, to simplify project development and improve the ease of doing business in the energy sector.”

Simbanegavi also highlighted improvements in investment facilitation, noting that the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency’s digital licensing system drove a 44.8% increase in approved investments in Q1 2025. Zimbabwe is strengthening its role in the Southern African Power Pool, accelerating transmission projects such as MOZISA and ZIZABONA, and pushing toward a harmonised regional transmission pricing framework by 2026.

She reaffirmed government commitment to major generation projects, including the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme, one of the key areas of discussion at the summit.

Zimbabwe is also pursuing Sustainable Development Goal 7—universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy by 2030—and aims to electrify all rural institutions by 2026.

“We need a resilient and sustainable energy sector to support it,” she said.

Zambia’s Provincial Minister of Southern Province, Credo Nanjuwa, said the summit represents a decisive moment for concrete action rather than rhetoric.

“Your presence affirms the importance of this summit as a regional platform for investment, innovation, strategic collaboration and indeed a true reflection of our shared vision – that of securing a sustainable energy future for our two great nations – Zambia and Zimbabwe. This summit must never become a talk show! Our citizens, our industries and our economies need results, not empty promises. Let us use this platform to unlock deals, secure financing, and build the energy systems that will power Zambia and Zimbabwe, our mining sectors, industries, homes and our future.”

He added that recent power shortages have reinforced the need for stronger, more deliberate cross-border efforts.

“Energy challenges have reminded us that we have veins which knit us together beyond our border lines, and that cross-border collaborations are key in overcoming our collective challenges. As Zimbabwe transitions to NDS2, more private sector investments are expected in the electricity sector, supported by reforms and incentives that simplify project development and promote ease of doing business.”

Standard Bank emphasised the centrality of financing in achieving regional energy ambitions.

“This year’s summit comes at a very exciting time,” said Helen Lubamba, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Zambia (Standard Bank Group). “Zambia’s mining and energy sectors are not just delivering economic value — they’re driving transformation. We’re eager to collaborate with key stakeholders and co-create solutions that elevate the region to its next frontier.”

The African Union Commission (AUC) opened its High-Level Consultation on the Grand Inga Strategic Coordination Committee, advancing work on the flagship 44-GW Grand Inga Hydropower Project under AU Agenda 2063.

Meanwhile, the SADC Secretariat and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) convened a Consultative Meeting on the Draft SADC Just Energy Transition Framework, which targets universal access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy across the region by 2050.

“These programmes highlight how regional cooperation can move from ambition to implementation,” said Dr. Mavis Mwape of the SADC Secretariat.