ZIMBABWE and Zambia will convene a high-stakes investment summit in Victoria Falls next week, seeking to bolster investment and stimulate economic growth in their industrial and energy sectors.
The Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit, set to take place from November 18 to 20, will run under the theme: Powering Zimbabwe and Zambia’s Sustainable Energy Future: Unlocking Opportunities in Renewables, Grid Modernisation and Energy Access.
“During the Africa Energy Forum this June, we were requested by a number of public and private sector organisations to consider hosting an investment summit focused on Zimbabwe and Zambia’s industrial and energy sector projects,” one of the event organisers, Gemma Gosling from EnergyNet, said.
“Since then, we have conducted our research, as well as having visited both nations to discuss with stakeholders their appetite for such a meeting, and the response could not have been more positive.
“The summit will provide a critical platform for international and local investors to learn about current and upcoming energy investment opportunities in the two countries, and it will provide the occasion to connect with potential new partners, with all relevant stakeholders in one place.”
The bi-annual conference, held in partnership with international finance institutions and the private sector, aims to accelerate project financing and establish a clear risk mitigation framework for Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The event will convene key stakeholders, including ministries, utilities, regulators, energy organisations, international private sector stakeholders, institutional investors, private financiers, service and technology providers from both countries.
Discussion topics will focus on creating an attractive energy investment destination and leveraging innovative, profitable renewable energy solutions to achieve universal access.
Additionally, the summit will cover strengthening regional energy networks to reduce dependence on dominant energy sources and collaborating with the mining sector to support economic growth and promote a cleaner energy future.
The seminar is particularly timely, given Zimbabwe’s current severe power outages, which last up to 16 hours a day, disrupting business operations in the process. Zambia is also facing a similar challenge.
This highlights the urgent need for investment and innovation in the energy sector.
By bringing together key stakeholders, the summit aims to drive progress and find solutions to the region’s energy challenges.