SADC Agrees on Accelerated Clean Energy Access and Regional Power Integration

The 2026 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Sustainable Energy Week (SEW) concluded in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, with Member States and development partners pledging to accelerate clean energy deployment, expand access, and strengthen regional energy integration across Southern Africa.

Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Energy and Power Development from 23 to 27 February 2026, the conference was held under the theme: “Driving Regional Economic Growth Through Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency.”

The event was officially opened by the Vice President of Zimbabwe, General (Rtd) Honourable Dr. Constantino Guvheya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga, representing President H.E. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

The week-long conference brought together Ministers responsible for energy, heads of delegations, and senior officials from across the SADC region, including representatives from Botswana, Eswatini, Madagascar, South Africa, Zambia, and the United Republic of Tanzania, as well as other portfolios such as mining, industrialisation, and environment. Senior delegates also attended from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, and Seychelles.

In his address, SADC Executive Secretary H.E. Mr. Elias M. Magosi emphasised that energy remains central to industrialisation, economic growth, and improved livelihoods in the region. He noted progress since the inaugural SEW in 2025, highlighting advancements in National Energy Compacts and strengthened regional cooperation under the Mission 300 initiative.

Discussions during the conference identified ongoing challenges in energy availability, affordability, and access, particularly in rural areas. Inadequate transmission infrastructure and limited policy harmonisation were also cited as barriers to effective cross-border power trade.

Participants agreed on a set of priority actions to accelerate the energy transition, including:

• Expediting key regional interconnector projects, such as Angola–Namibia, Malawi–Mozambique, and Tanzania–Zambia, to enhance power trading through the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP);
• Accelerating universal access to electricity by 2030 through mini-grids, solar rooftops, and off-grid solutions;
• Harmonising regulatory frameworks to strengthen private sector participation, including independent power producers and transmission operators;
• Scaling up energy efficiency through standards, labelling, and financing mechanisms;
• Diversifying the regional energy mix with utility-scale solar, green hydrogen, and other clean energy technologies;
• Promoting women and youth participation in renewable energy value chains; and
• Advancing electrification of transport and clean cooking initiatives across the region.

Member States were urged to fast-track implementation of approved National Energy Compacts. Development partners, including the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, were commended for their ongoing technical and financial support.

The Republic of Zimbabwe received accolades for successfully hosting the 2026 SEW, while the Kingdom of Eswatini was acknowledged for accepting to host the 2027 edition.

The 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week reaffirmed the region’s collective commitment to energy security, equity, and environmental sustainability, underscoring the role of clean energy in driving inclusive and sustainable economic transformation across Southern Africa.