Thembelihle Mhlanga
Livingstone, Zambia – Zimbabwe has abolished import duty on all solar equipment in a decisive move aimed at accelerating the country’s transition to renewable energy, cutting emissions, and attracting large-scale investment into the green economy.
The announcement was delivered on Tuesday at the Zim-Zam Energy Projects Summit by Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Hon. Yeukai Simbanegavi, who said the policy shift forms part of a broader national strategy to build a resilient, low-carbon energy future.
Addressing delegates drawn from government, business, development partners, and regional energy bodies, Simbanegavi said removing import duty would immediately lower the cost of solar equipment for households, companies, and independent power producers.
“This initiative will ease the burden of energy poverty and environmental degradation while positioning Zimbabwe as a regional leader in green transition,” she said, prompting strong applause from delegates.
Beyond scrapping import duty, the Deputy Minister revealed that additional investment incentives are being finalised for companies establishing solar plants across Zimbabwe. These include eased licensing procedures, possible tax breaks, and support mechanisms aimed at reducing upfront capital costs, widely considered the biggest barrier to entry for renewable energy projects.
“By reducing financial hurdles, we want to unlock private investment and accelerate solar plant construction nationwide,” she added.
The measures come at a time when Zimbabwe is battling recurrent power shortages, ageing thermal plants, and rising energy demand. Officials say expanding solar capacity is now a national priority to stabilise supply and meet climate-change commitments.
Energy experts at the summit noted that Zimbabwe has one of the highest solar irradiance levels in Southern Africa, averaging more than 2,500 hours of sunshine annually. With strategic investment, the country could not only power domestic industries and households but eventually export surplus clean energy to the region.
Simbanegavi stressed that the transition to clean energy must centre communities. Government plans to roll out public education programmes on the benefits of solar power, especially for rural and peri-urban households still reliant on firewood and kerosene.
“A greener economy requires a knowledgeable citizenry. We want communities to understand that renewable energy is not just an alternative — it is a pathway to better health, prosperity, and sustainable development,” she said.
The Zim-Zam Energy Projects Summit attended by policymakers, regional blocs, financiers, and private-sector leaders underscored a growing consensus that the window for energy transformation is now. Delegates described the government’s new measures as a “watershed moment” for unlocking green investment and strengthening climate resilience.
While experts caution that challenges remain — including grid modernisation, storage technologies, and financing — Zimbabwe’s latest reforms offer a strong foundation for long-term clean-energy growth.
As Simbanegavi concluded:
“This is not just an energy decision. It is a commitment to sustainability, responsible development, and the legacy we leave for future generations.”
Zimbabwe now faces the pivotal task of turning bold policy into lasting impact and potentially becoming one of Africa’s leading lights in renewable energy innovation.
