Rutendo Nyeve

The 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week, officially opens in Victoria Falls today, with the Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, declaring the regional indaba a platform for driving economic growth through clean energy.

Addressing the media at a press conference in Victoria Falls yesterday, Minister Moyo confirmed that delegates are already arriving in the city for the high-level gathering.

“The first hosting of our delegates starts on Monday, where we welcome people,” said Minister Moyo.

“We are not officially opening on Monday, but we are welcoming everyone because meetings will in earnest begin then.

“This year’s energy week is being held under the theme: “Driving Regional Economic Growth through Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency”.

Endorsed by energy ministers, the SADC Sustainable Energy Week has established itself as the region’s premier annual platform for advancing investment, cooperation, and knowledge exchange in sustainable energy.

Minister Moyo said while the official opening is set for Wednesday, critical behind-the-scenes diplomacy has already started.

“Today, as you might know, we have a meeting that has been arranged, and we are meeting some of the ministers and delegates that have come, but we are dealing with specific issues such as the transmission system between us and Zambia, between us and South Africa,” he said.

Moyo said Eswatini’s Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Prince Lonkhokhela, would also participate in these closed-door technical discussions.

“They want to understand how transmissions are going to take place. But it’s a privately arranged meeting that will start today. So, tomorrow we start in this room, and we welcome the delegates and we start our programmes in earnest,” he said.

Hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Power Development of Zimbabwe, the SADC Secretariat, and the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), the week-long event has attracted participation from across the continent and beyond.

Minister Moyo confirmed that while President Mnangagwa is the designated official opener, the event will be officially opened on his behalf on Wednesday by Vice President, Dr Constantino Chiwenga.

“He will officially open on behalf of the President on Wednesday, and we expect that by that time all the ministers who are coming and all the delegations will have arrived,” said Minister Moyo.

He said the Ministerial high-level segment featuring heads of delegation will present progress on their National Energy Compacts.

“That ministerial segment gives an opportunity to all the ministers and or heads of delegations to talk about what is happening in their country. In our own case, obviously, we will be talking about our energy compact which we launched last year and how that is going to achieve our Vision 2030,” he said.

The event has drawn heavyweight sponsors and partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank.

The Vice President of the AfDB, Dr Kevin Kariuki, is expected to attend.

Beyond the plenaries, the week will feature a number of events, including a cultural gala dinner sponsored by Old Mutual, a dedicated session on women in energy to be addressed by the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises, Monica Mutsvangwa, and sponsored tours of the Victoria Falls for delegates.

Minister Moyo also noted that Eswatini has sent a strong delegation with a specific mission to learn how to host the event next year.

“The reason why Eswatini came much earlier is that they are the ones where SADC and SACREEE have said they will host next year,” he said.

“So, they are eager to come and learn what Zimbabwe has been able to do. The minister who you saw is not just coming too early, he is wanting to say, ‘Zimbabwe, let’s learn from what you have done so that we do not repeat whatever mistakes you have made’.”