Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
ECONOMIC and engineering experts have welcomed Zimbabwe’s ongoing rural electrification drive, describing it as a critical step towards inclusive development and sustainable economic growth.
The experts were speaking at a stakeholder consultative meeting held in Harare on Thursday where business leaders, bankers and industry executives converged to discuss rural electrification as a key target for the government’s Vision 2030.
An economist with the Zimbabwe Farmers Union, Mrs Nyasha Taderera, said the initiative promotes inclusivity and supports agricultural productivity by ensuring that farmers have reliable access to power.
“It is all about inclusivity, with resources permitting, the agenda has a net positive effect of stimulating development by ensuring that energy is readily available to the farmers,” Nyasha Taderera said.
Echoing the same sentiments, Engineer Samuel Makuvaza, a member of Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers, emphasised the need for a balanced approach to resource allocation and project implementation.
“Zimbabwe needs an environment that can balance available resources. With projects that have an agenda like that, one will further spur the growth of the marginalised and attract infrastructure projects that are key to overall growth,” he said.
Mr Reginald Gonye, a lecturer at the National University of Science and Technology, highlighted that electrification is vital in achieving the government’s Vision 2030 which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income society.
“The vision of an upper middle income society requires a power-driven economy across the nation, so indeed the rural electrification agenda is needed to ensure that societies move on with the latest technologies,” he said.
The government has also reaffirmed its commitment to the agenda.
“As a nation, we remain committed to energy self-sufficiency by mobilising the necessary resources to ensure uptake of projects, therefore, indeed, this rural electrification agenda is key to achieving an industrialised society for the benefit of the nation,” Rural Electrification Agency Board member, Mr Cosmas Chiringa said.
Experts agreed that expanding access to electricity in rural areas will unlock economic potential, bridge development gaps, and attract further investment in critical infrastructure.
