VICTORIA FALLS—The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is set to converge in Zimbabwe this month for the SADC Sustainable Energy Week (SEW), a high-stakes summit aimed at pivoting the region toward a green industrial future. From February 23 to 27, over 500 delegates, including heads of state, energy ministers, and global financiers, will gather at the Elephant Hills Resort to address the widening energy deficit that threatens to stifle the bloc’s economic ambitions.
Hosted jointly by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Energy and Power Development, the SADC Secretariat, and the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), the summit arrives as the region faces a critical inflection point. With electricity demand surging and climate-induced droughts hammering traditional hydropower generation, the event’s theme—”Driving Regional Economic Growth through Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency”—signals an urgent transition toward a more diversified and resilient regional power pool.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi are expected to preside over the official opening, highlighting the political will required to harmonize cross-border energy policies. “Energy is not just a commodity; it is the backbone of development and a catalyst for prosperity,” noted July Moyo, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy and Power Development, during the event’s lead-up. “This gathering reaffirms our collective commitment to building a region powered by clean, reliable, and affordable energy.”
A primary focus of the week will be the operationalization of “Mission 300,” a massive US$5 billion joint initiative by the World Bank and the African Development Bank. The program aims to connect 300 million people across Sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030, a goal that aligns with SADC’s push for universal energy access. Several member states are expected to use the Victoria Falls platform to finalize their National Energy Compacts, which serve as investment roadmaps to attract the private capital necessary for large-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects.
Beyond generation, the summit will tackle the “low-hanging fruit” of energy efficiency and digital integration. By adopting smarter grid technologies and minimum energy performance standards, the IZA-backed regional strategy aims to reduce industrial waste and lower the cost of doing business. The thematic tracks also delve into the strategic role of critical minerals—such as lithium and cobalt found in the region—in the global battery value chain, positioning SADC not just as a consumer of clean energy but as a primary manufacturer of its essential components.
The week-long program includes the 9th SOLTRAIN+ Conference and various technical site visits to biogas and solar facilities, underscoring a shift from high-level dialogue to practical implementation. As the region looks to bridge the energy gap for its 172 million currently unelectrified citizens, the Victoria Falls summit represents a decisive move to leverage regional cooperation as a shield against global energy volatility.
