President Duma Boko Opens Inaugural SADC Sustainable Energy Week, Calls for Urgent Action on Energy Security
The President of the Republic of Botswana, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, officially opened the inaugural Southern African Development Community (SADC) Sustainable Energy Week in Gaborone with a strong call for immediate action to secure sustainable energy access across the region.
Speaking at the high-level conference, held from 24-28 February 2025 under the theme “Accelerating Sustainable Energy Solutions for an Energy Secure SADC Region,” President Boko urged SADC Member States and stakeholders to move beyond dialogue and implement solutions that ensure clean, affordable, and reliable energy for all.
“The time for talk is over. It’s time to act! Let’s work together to build a future where every home, business, and industry in SADC has access to sustainable energy,” President Boko emphasized in his keynote address.
He highlighted that investing in sustainable energy is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic imperative. The President called for the full exploitation of the region’s abundant renewable resources, such as solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal, to drive socio-economic growth.
Recognizing the crucial role of the private sector, President Boko urged businesses and global investors to collaborate in financing and developing the necessary infrastructure. “From small and medium enterprises to global investors, we invite you to partner with us—not only to build infrastructure but also to cultivate the talent and knowledge necessary to sustain it,” he added.
Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, and Honourable July G. Moyo, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy and Power Development and Chairperson of the SADC Committee of Ministers of Energy, expressed their appreciation to President Boko for his leadership in championing regional collaboration on energy security and innovation.
SADC Executive Secretary, His Excellency Elias M. Magosi, underscored the urgency of addressing power shortages in the region. “The SADC region continues to face energy deficits due to inadequate infrastructure and the growing impact of climate change. With coal making up 60% of electricity generation, hydropower at 24%, and renewables trailing at around 10%, we must urgently transition to a more sustainable energy mix,” Magosi noted.
He further highlighted the alarming energy access gap, stating that approximately 172 million SADC citizens—representing 29% of the region’s population—still lack electricity. He called for innovative financing models and alternative energy solutions to expand access.
The SADC Sustainable Energy Week was established as an annual event following the May 2024 meeting of the Joint Committee of SADC Ministers responsible for Energy and Water in Angola. Botswana and Zimbabwe committed to hosting the event in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
The conference is organized in partnership with the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) and supported by key international partners, including the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Bringing together Ministers of Energy from across the SADC region, private sector leaders, international organizations, and academic institutions, the five-day event features high-level discussions, investment forums, and technical sessions on policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, grid integration, and renewable energy technologies for a just energy transition.
As SADC Sustainable Energy Week unfolds, stakeholders are expected to outline concrete steps toward an energy-secure future for the region.
