Zimbabwe to participate in the Inga 3 Transmission Line Project

The government has approved Zimbabwe's participation in the Inga 3 Transmission Line Project, a regional electricity initiative linking the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, aimed at addressing Southern Africa's chronic power shortages.

The project - also known as the Quintet Electricity Project - is expected to produce more than 40 000 megawatts (MW) of hydropower from the Congo River, making it one of the largest energy ventures in Africa.

Speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said Cabinet had approved an inter-governmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide cooperation on the development of the transmission line.

"Zimbabwe participates in power-pooling initiatives and the approval today highlights our country's importance in regional integration," Muswere said. "Preliminary studies have already been carried out, and this intergovernmental MoU will facilitate the establishment of transmission infrastructure and interconnectors to link the participating countries."

He added that the agreement would enable energy trading across borders, allowing transit countries to draw power from the regional grid as it delivers electricity to South Africa.

"The Memorandum of Understanding provides the framework for co-operation between all the parties to ensure the development and implementation of the project," Muswere noted.

Meanwhile, ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera said government was intensifying investment in e-governance systems as part of preparations to launch Zimbabwe's national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy.

"With the coming of the national AI strategy, we believe there is a great need to enhance our e-governance systems and take advantage of emerging digital opportunities," she said.