ZIMBABWE Law and Practice Contributed by: Nikita Madya and Chantele Sibanda, Wintertons
1.6 Recent Changes in Law or Regulation Zimbabwe introduced Statutory Instrument 35 of 2025 of Customs and Excise (General) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (No 124). The regulations aim to encourage the use of renewable energy by introduc- ing rebates on imported machinery and equipment for use in solar-powered charging stations for ZERA approved operators. 1.7 Announcements Regarding New Policies The government of Zimbabwe is focused on an accelerated renewable energy development scheme to meet the government’s target of clean energy and install 2,100 MW of renewable energy by 2030. This follows the approval of the National Energy Compact for the Republic of Zimbabwe, unveiled in 2025, which sets out a strategic roadmap to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable elec- tricity in Zimbabwe by 2030. The policy aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 7. The National Energy Compact is made under the Dar-es-Salaam Decla- ration on the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit which aims to increase the number of African house- holds accessing electricity by 2030, with Zimbabwe planning to electrify 3.1 million households and reach 70% clean cooking access by 2030. The Compact is structured around five strategic pillars: i) the expansion of generation capacity and infrastructure; ii) enhanced regional integration; iii) promotion of distributed renewable energy and clean cooking solutions; iv) mobilisation of private sector-led investment; and v) ensuring financial sustainability of utilities. The Compact aims to redress key challenges in the energy sector, including aging infrastructure, power-supply gaps and inadequate supply of electric- ity in rural areas. To support this initiative, the government intends to pass regulatory changes which will refine investment resources for Independent Power Producers and unlock key private-sector investment. Mini-grid regu- lations are also expected to be implemented. The government of Zimbabwe has an agenda to pro- vide a conducive environment to enable the partici- pation of the private sector in the renewable energy sector. The government intends to make the licensing
• maximising access to electricity services by pro- moting and facilitating consumer connections to distribution systems in rural and urban areas alike; • ensuring that an adequate supply of electricity is available to consumers; • ensuring that the prices charged by licensees are fair in light of the need for prices to be sufficient to allow licensees to finance their activities and obtain reasonable earnings for their efficient operation; • ensuring the safety, security, reliability and quality of service in the production and delivery of electric- ity to consumers; and • ensuring that regulation is fair and balanced for licensees, consumers, investors, and other stake- holders in the electricity industry. In addition to the role of ZERA in ensuring the reli- ability of the electricity system and the adequacy of supply to satisfy the demand for electricity, Zimbabwe is part of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), and is where its headquarters are located. SAPP has 12 member countries represented by their respective electric power utilities, organised through the South- ern African Development Committee (SADC), and pro- vides a forum for the development of robust, efficient, reliable and stable interconnected electrical systems in the Southern African region. It is also responsible for the co-ordination and enforcement of common regional standards regarding the quality of supply, as well as for the measurement and monitoring of system performance. In September 2018, the Minister of Energy and Power Development published the Electricity (Public Safety) Regulations 2018 to impose safety standards on play- ers in the electricity industry, in order to protect the public. Among other things, owners of generation and transmission infrastructure are required to: • ensure that their assets are electrically safe; • develop and implement asset design, procurement, operation and maintenance plans to eliminate electrical risk; • carry out periodic inspections and maintenance of electrical infrastructure, including the testing of protection equipment; and • carry public liability insurance.
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