8 SADC countries facing acute electricity shortages

At least eight of the sixteen Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states currently have less than 50 percent access to electricity, underscoring a severe energy shortage across the region, a senior government official revealed on Wednesday.

Speaking at the official opening of the five-day Regional Energy Regulators Association of Southern Africa (RERA) sub-committee meetings held in the capital, Energy and Power Development Permanent Secretary Gloria Magombo, through a speech read by Ministry chief director Benson Munyaradzi, called for urgent collective action to address the crisis.

"There is need for us to play a role in ensuring policies and regulations that cater for energy access for all," she said.

Home to over 400 million people, the SADC region is battling chronic electricity shortages compounded by insufficient investment in power generation and transmission infrastructure.

Magombo stressed the importance of expanding power grids and increasing regional interconnectors to widen electricity access. However, she pointed to funding constraints and regulatory bottlenecks as major barriers to progress.

"Complex regulatory frameworks and slow licensing processes hinder the development of renewable energy projects. There is need for streamlined regulations on bulk licensing of portfolios to accelerate the rollout of renewables," she noted.

Despite heavy reliance on fossil fuels-especially coal-Magombo advocated for a stronger shift toward renewable energy sources like solar and wind. This shift, she said, would help meet both access and climate goals.

She urged SADC energy regulators to collaborate on harmonising policies and investment strategies, highlighting the critical role of regional cooperation in securing sustainable energy and facilitating cross-border electricity trade.

"The energy sector requires significant investment to meet the region's energy needs. Development finance institutions must play a central role in supporting the transformation of this critical sector," Magombo added.

Also addressing the meeting, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) acting CEO Ngoni Ranga emphasised the value of forums like RERA in fostering cooperation and shaping effective energy regulations.

"As Zimbabwe, we are proud to host these meetings which underscore our commitment to regional cooperation and energy development. Collaboration and teamwork are essential in achieving our common goals. By working together, we can share knowledge, expertise, and resources," Ranga said.

Given electricity access's crucial role in driving economic growth, education, and healthcare, the outcomes of the RERA meetings are expected to influence regional energy policy and boost coordinated efforts toward a more connected and electrified Southern Africa.