Minister of Energy and Power Development Hon July Moyo : Images William Muchingamiri/Marcus Chimudzi
By Dickson Bandera
VICTORIA FALLS – Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable July Moyo, has called for urgent regulatory reforms and improved energy efficiency across the SADC region, warning that weak and poor data are undermining progress toward energy security.
Speaking at the welcome ceremony of 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week in Victoria Falls this Monday, Hon Moyo said the region must prioritise coordinated policies and stronger institutions to unlock the full potential of its energy sector.
“Realising also, the importance of regulation, we need to strengthen our regulatory systems through synchronising laws, tariffs and application of the system. This will strengthen us as SADC and will make us a regional block, as we are superintended by the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
“A strengthened block is easily identified as a safe hub for local and international investments and opportunities. During this conference, we will network and connect on all professional levels,” Minister Moyo noted.
He also said the region should mix both tradional and renewable energy sources in its energy mix, stressing that improving efficiency across industries—from mining to manufacturing—will be key to maximising existing energy resources.
“We also acknowledge the important role played by conventional thermal power plants and traditional hydropower plants within the energy mix. Our actions and plans as a region must recognise these energy sources as well as energy efficiency efforts.
“Energy efficiency plays an important role in ensuring adequate supply to productive users of energy. Our machinery in industry, in mining and across the entire economy, must be energy efficient, if we are going to realise benefit from the available energy resources in our countries,” he said.
The minister however raised concern over inadequate sector data, describing it as a critical gap in planning and investment.
“We have not been collecting enough of and presenting statistics of our generation, transmission, distribution and retail,” he said.
The high-level conference, running under the theme “Driving Regional Economic Growth through Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency,” has drawn ministers, diplomats, energy experts and private sector players from across Southern Africa and beyond.
Hon Moyo said the platform is designed to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy while addressing persistent energy security challenges in the region.
“This conference is a high-level regional platform to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy, drive regional economic growth and address energy security issues within the SADC region,” he said.
The week-long event will feature plenary sessions, exhibitions and bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening cooperation and attracting investment into the energy sector.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga will officially open the conference on Wednesday.
