The Zimbabwe government has now opened up the distribution and selling of electricity to private players. This means a company can get a licence to buy power from a supplier, such as ZESA or a solar plant, and supply it to a neighbourhood.
Explaining the model, ZERA CEO Edington Mazambani told business leaders recently: “For instance, you can adopt Cowdray Park and reticulate the whole locality, which is in the upwards of 30,000 (homes).
You connect them and get the bulk supply of electricity, either from the utility or a supplier of your own choice, distribute power within the locality, and collect revenue.” Earlier this month, ZESA acting MD, Abel Gurupira, told an investor conference that the utility had identified nearly 400 “dark cities” across the country – large suburbs and commercial areas that have been fully built, but are yet to be connected to the grid.
