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| Hakainde Hichilema - Zambian President |
Harare, Zimbabwe – President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to visit Mozambique and Zambia this week in a bid to secure assistance for Zimbabwe's ongoing electricity shortages. However, leading economist Professor Gift Mugano has expressed scepticism, cautioning that these efforts might prove futile unless Zimbabwe can provide upfront payments, given the historical financial struggles of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA).
President Mnangagwa outlined these initiatives in his weekly column in the Sunday Mail newspaper, detailing plans to engage neighbouring countries for energy support. Currently, Zimbabwe is grappling with severe power shortages, which have had a significant impact on both households and businesses.
An agreement between ZESA and the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) stipulates that ZESA must remit $6.3 million per month for the electricity supplied. Zambia's Minister of Energy, Peter Kapala, stated that the electricity being sold to Zimbabwe, along with Namibia, is generated from the Kafue Gorge plant.
In addition to the agreement with Zambia, ZESA has signed a contract with Hydro Cahora Bassa of Mozambique to purchase 300 megawatts of electricity. Despite these agreements, ZESA's financial difficulties have hindered its ability to meet payment obligations, affecting the stability of power supply.
In a letter addressed to mining company executives, ZESA chairman Mr Sydney Gata admitted that the company would no longer be able to supply them with electricity due to its inability to settle debts with power suppliers in South Africa, Zambia, and Mozambique. ZESA requires approximately US$17 million per month to purchase sufficient electricity to meet national demand.
Compounding the issue, ZESA is owed a staggering US$62 million by various entities within the country, exacerbating the financial strain and limiting its operational capacity.
The electricity crisis has led to widespread power cuts, disrupting daily life and economic activities. The government is under increasing pressure to find sustainable solutions to this pressing problem. President Mnangagwa's diplomatic efforts will be closely watched to see if they can yield the necessary support to alleviate Zimbabwe's energy woes and bring much-needed stability to the power sector.
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