Story by Yolanda Moyo
ZIMBABWE is accelerating rural development through an expanding electrification programme that is improving access to energy for schools, health facilities, businesses and farming communities, helping to unlock new economic and social opportunities.
Communities in Umguza District, Matabeleland North Province, are among the beneficiaries of the initiative being spearheaded by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), which is working to bridge the development gap between urban and rural areas.
At Majidani Primary School, electricity has transformed learning conditions and created opportunities for the use of modern technologies while improving the working environment for teachers.
“The electricity has changed a lot for our school. We can now improve learning through technology and create a better environment for our pupils. It is helping us prepare our children for the future. Our community has people who are willing to go back to school, now we can provide the evening classes as we now have electricity and even our teachers can now work comfortably here,” the school’s headmaster, Mr Edward Tshuma stated.
The impact of electrification is also being felt within the local business community.
“Business has improved because we now have reliable power. We can refrigerate products, attract more customers and offer services that were not possible before. It is bringing growth to our community,” a local businessperson said.
REA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms Felister Makumbinde said the agency has made significant progress in extending electricity to key institutions and productive sectors in Umguza District.
“To date, we have electrified 44 primary schools, 14 secondary schools, eight rural health centres, six business centres, 24 small-scale farms and 12 irrigation group schemes in Umguza District. We are also extending electricity to additional facilities, including Mabolen Clinic.”
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland North Province, Honourable Richard Moyo, said the programme is contributing to improved service delivery and economic growth.
“Electricity is bringing new life to our communities. Schools, clinics, businesses and farmers are all benefitting. This is creating jobs, improving services and ensuring that rural areas participate fully in economic development.”
Speaking during the commissioning of the Majidani Electrification Project, Energy and Power Development Minister, Honourable July Moyo, said the initiative reflects government’s commitment to inclusive development and universal access to energy.
“Over the years, electricity was mainly available in towns and cities, as well as in large-scale commercial farming areas during the time of the whites, when they had a lot of our land. And, uh, it was available in mines, while the rural communities in communal areas, where the majority of the population live, were neglected and disadvantaged.
“In line with the Sustainable Development Goal 7 set by the United Nations, which calls for access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable modern energy services for all by increasing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and helping countries to develop their energy infrastructure, REA, with full support from the Ministry, is justifiably walking the talk,” he said.
The minister said the national electrification programme has recorded substantial progress.
“As of June 15 this year, 11 414 projects and households have been electrified, bringing comfort, better living conditions, and broadening business opportunities to rural entrepreneurs. This figure includes 3 256 primary schools, 1 647 secondary schools, 1 086 rural health centers, and 497 government extension officers, 311 chiefs’ homesteads, and 1 397 business centers, among related projects.”
Government says the next phase of the programme will integrate conventional grid expansion with solar mini-grids and biogas technologies as part of efforts to broaden access to reliable and sustainable energy, positioning rural electrification as a key driver of long-term economic transformation.
