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In a significant push towards rural development and sustainability, Zimbabwe’s government has approved the implementation of its long-awaited Presidential Solarisation Programme. Set to electrify 200,000 households, the initiative is poised to be a game-changer for rural communities long deprived of consistent, affordable electricity. The programme represents an innovative solution to Zimbabwe’s energy challenges, leveraging renewable solar energy to improve lives in some of the country’s most underserved areas.
The Presidential Solarisation Programme, approved by Cabinet in December 2024 and presented by Honourable Lovemore Matuke, the Minister of State for National Security, is a strategic effort to address Zimbabwe’s rural energy gap. According to government reports, over 60% of Zimbabwe’s population resides in rural areas, and many of these communities have no access to the national electricity grid. The programme, therefore, not only provides power but aims to unlock opportunities in education, healthcare, and local economies, which have been stifled by energy shortages.
For decades, rural Zimbabweans have relied on costly and unreliable energy sources, such as paraffin lamps, firewood, and charcoal, for lighting, cooking, and heating. These methods have serious environmental and health consequences, from indoor air pollution to deforestation. Moreover, frequent power outages in rural areas make it difficult for essential services, like schools and healthcare centers, to operate efficiently.
By Ruvarashe Gora
Zimbabwe is on the cusp of a transformation. This solarisation initiative isn’t just about light, it’s about giving people the tools they need to thrive. Clean energy will power schools, health clinics, and small businesses, ensuring that no Zimbabwean is left behind in the country’s journey towards development.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly 2.6 billion people globally still lack access to modern energy, and Zimbabwe, with its vast rural population, faces similar challenges. In Zimbabwe’s rural areas, many communities are geographically isolated, making it logistically challenging and costly to extend the national grid. Solar power, with its relatively low installation costs and scalability, has emerged as a promising alternative.
The solarisation programme aims to address these energy inequities head-on by providing 200,000 solar kits to rural households across Zimbabwe’s eight provinces. The initiative is a collaboration between several government agencies, experts from the Harare Institute of Technology, and local youth who have graduated from Zimbabwe’s Youth Service Programme. These youth will be trained in solar installation, giving them not only the technical skills necessary to carry out the installations but also the opportunity to contribute to their community’s development.
The installation of solar kits will be carried out in phases, with a focus on the most remote villages where energy access is least reliable. The programme has already completed crucial preliminary steps, including identifying the beneficiaries and establishing clear guidelines for implementation. Minister Matuke has confirmed that community mobilization efforts are underway, ensuring that locals are fully informed about the benefits of solar energy and how to maintain the solar systems once they are installed.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to launch the programme officially, marking the beginning of its first year of implementation. This event will be a defining moment in Zimbabwe’s energy strategy, underscoring the government’s commitment to renewable energy and rural development.
With solar power, rural Zimbabweans will have reliable access to electricity for the first time in many years. This means children can study after dark, rural health clinics can store vaccines and operate medical equipment, and small businesses will have the energy they need to thrive. The long-term benefits also include a reduction in environmental damage, as solar power is clean, renewable, and helps mitigate the effects of climate change.
According to the World Bank, investments in clean energy in Sub-Saharan Africa, where rural electrification remains a major challenge, have shown tremendous promise in accelerating economic growth and improving quality of life. Solar energy has already proven to be a successful model in many African countries, with similar programmes in Kenya and Rwanda demonstrating how decentralized renewable energy can fuel local economies and improve social services.
As Zimbabwe gears up for the official launch of the Presidential Solarisation Programme, it is clear that this initiative is about more than just installing solar kits. It’s about creating a sustainable future for Zimbabwe’s rural population, where access to clean, affordable energy can unlock educational, health, and economic opportunities. With solar power at the forefront of this transformation, Zimbabwe is setting the stage for a brighter, more equitable future for all its citizens.
The success of the programme will not only be a milestone for the nation but could also serve as a model for other countries facing similar energy access challenges in rural areas.
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