Staff Reporter

Zimbabwe has sounded the alarm on escalating water and energy challenges in Southern Africa, with Secretary for Energy and Power Development, Dr. Gloria Magombo, calling for urgent and united regional action at the official opening of the 43rd SADC Joint Meeting of Ministers responsible for Energy and Water at Rainbow Towers, Harare, yesterday.

Dr. Magombo described the gathering as “a clarion call to action”, amid a “triple crisis” of rapid population growth, rising energy and water demand, and intensifying climate change impacts.

“Water and energy are not merely a resource and a service; these are the very lifeblood of our economies, the foundation and anchor of public health, and the cornerstone upon which sustainable development can be built,” she said.

Dr. Magombo highlighted the severe impact of climate change on the region, citing the drastic drop in hydropower generation at Kariba Dam shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia to below 25% capacity.

“Climate change is a reality. Zimbabwe has not been spared from these extreme events, hence the need for preparedness and collaborative efforts,” she said.

Dr. Magombo also emphasised Zimbabwe’s strategic regional role, citing the Beira fuel pipeline and the Chirundu cross-border water supply feasibility study completed with Zambia.

She commended SADC’s collaboration in regional power trading through the Southern African Power Pool and plans to connect with the East African Power Pool.

Looking ahead, Dr. Magombo underscored the need for a just energy transition anchored on local beneficiation of critical minerals.

“The endowment of the region with critical energy transition minerals should be a blessing and not a curse,” she urged.

She further called for collective progress on Africa’s Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 7, urging delegates to prioritise access to clean energy, water, and sanitation.

The meeting also deliberated on key regional projects, including Mission 300, the Grand Inga Project, and the Congo Basin water transfer initiative.

“This joint meeting is a testament to the efforts being taken to integrate and promote the water-energy-food-environment nexus within the SADC region,” Dr. Magombo concluded.

Zimbabwe, which is chairing the meeting, is hosting senior officials and delegates from across the SADC region to deliberate on integrated strategies for sustainable water and energy development.

The talks are a precursor to the ministerial session set for 4 July 2025.