Staff Reporter
African leaders gathered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, yesterday, for the Energy Summit, focusing on boosting power generation and attracting investments to ensure access to electricity for the continent’s 300 million energy-deprived citizens.
Representing President Mnangagwa at the summit was the Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, who joined 21 Heads of State and Government, along with international financiers.
The summit, held under the theme “Mission 300,” emphasized the urgent need to electrify both rural and urban communities.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Minister Moyo stressed the importance of electricity in driving economic productivity.
“The main message of the summit is that the continent must mobilize for the electrification of rural and urban centers. For Zimbabwe, energy is critical in promoting irrigation for agriculture, a key driver of our economy. Additionally, we are constructing the largest steel plant in the country, which will require significant electricity,” he said.
A major highlight of the summit was the focus on regional power-sharing frameworks, particularly through the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
Minister Moyo noted the importance of integrating countries with surplus electricity into the pool.
“Tanzania and Angola have excess power but are not yet connected to SAPP. Tanzania’s new connection with Zambia will enable the region, including Zimbabwe, to benefit from surplus power,” he explained.
The summit also launched the National Energy Compacts for the first group of 15 countries.
These agreements are part of the broader Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Delegates addressed key energy sector challenges, including infrastructure gaps, policy reforms, and resource mobilization to attract more investments.
The initiative aligns with Africa’s development goals, where access to affordable and reliable electricity is seen as vital for improving livelihoods and driving industrialization.
The Dar es Salaam Energy Summit underscored Africa’s collective determination to bridge its energy gaps and ensure that sustainable electricity becomes a reality for every corner of the continent.
Through initiatives like Mission 300, the dream of universal access to energy is steadily moving closer to fruition.
