Story by Oleen Ndori
AN envisioned partnership between power utility, ZESA Enterprises and Shanghai Jingdao Electric Company is expected to positively impact the production of switch gears, smart meters and electric vehicle chargers, making Zimbabwe a key supplier of the products in the region.
Speaking at the last Post Cabinet media briefing for 2025 in Harare on Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere highlighted that cabinet had approved the proposed private public partnership (PPP) project between ZESA Enterprises and Shanghai Jingdao Electric Company, which is expected to benefit the country through import substitution, technology transfer and improved revenues for ZETDC.
“Cabinet considered and approved the PPP for the establishment of a manufacturing and assembly plant for the manufacture of switchgears, smart meters, and electric vehicle chargers. The country faces the growing need for modern switchgears as the national grid is expanding, while old equipment is being phased out. The partnership will position the country as a switchgear supplier in the SADC region,” he said.
“Additionally, the availability of smart meters will enhance ZETDC’s efficiency in accurate billing, thereby boosting revenue collection, while the production of electric vehicle chargers aligns with global mobility trends. The establishment project will benefit the country through import substitution, foreign currency savings, job creation, technology transfer, improved energy supply, improved revenues for ZETDC and strengthening of stimulus to downstream sectors.”
As government continues with the ease of doing business reforms, cabinet approved the review of licences, levies and permits in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.
“In the broadcasting sector, reviews will cover sub-sectors such as campus and community radio broadcasting; radio broadcasting (embracing free-to-air, provincial, local and commercial radio services); commercial television services; signal carrier services; and satellite broadcasting services. Reviews in the telecommunications sector will cover mobile network operators, fixed telephone operators, and internet service providers. The government noted that some fees and levies that are being charged in both the telecommunications and the broadcasting sectors are unjustifiably on the higher side, thereby imposing a significant cost and burden on telecommunication operators,” Dr Muswere said.
“In that regard, the review of licences, levies, permits and fees in the two Sectors is a deliberate initiative to review taxes to reduce the cost of data and voice calls for businesses and the general public, at the same time ensuring sustainable revenue streams for the fiscus. Government will also streamline duplicative and overlapping licences and permits, with further refinement and consultations by the Ministries of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services and Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, before final approval by Cabinet.”
The last seating of cabinet also looked into the review of the National Cooperative Societies Development Policy aimed at entrenching good governance, financial inclusion as well as transparency and accountability.
“Cabinet considered and approved the National Cooperative Societies Development Policy. The Policy reviews the 2005 Cooperative Policy and seeks to transform and rebrand cooperative societies by making them catalysts for innovation, industrialisation, empowerment and wealth creation. The Policy further provides an enabling legal regulatory framework that aims to entrench good governance, financial inclusion, as well as transparency and accountability in the management of cooperative societies, unlike in the past,” he noted.
“The new Policy aligns the Cooperative Societies Sector with National Development Strategies, financial inclusion initiatives, Artificial Intelligence and digitalisation. Over 10 800 registered cooperative societies will be expected to benefit, covering an estimated membership of around three million. Government recognises the contribution of the cooperative sector, which remains a key economic driver, contributing over 210 000 housing units since the year 2010; serving the unbanked communities through Savings and Credit Cooperative Schemes (SACCOS); and actively contributing over 80% to national kapenta production, among other economic sectors.”
Deliberations on the 2025/26 summer cropping season were also tabled before cabinet, with notable progress recorded in the planting of maize, sorghum and pearl millet.
From chairing the regional bloc, SADC and successfully handing over the reigns to Madagascar, to chairing the COP15 on wetlands; to the continued revitalisation of industry; Warriors qualifying for the AFCON games in Morocco and being recognised by FORBES magazine as the number one place to visit for the year, 2025 has been a success in terms of driving government’s target for inclusive development.
