Zimbabwe is set to host the 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week in February in Victoria Falls.

The Ministry of Energy and Power Development, in partnership with the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) and the SADC Secretariat, hosted the official launch of the 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week (SADC SEW) on Monday, 27 October 2025, at a high-level press conference held in Harare.

The launch brought together government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, and the media to mark the beginning of preparations for one of the region’s most anticipated energy events.

Themed “Driving Regional Economic Growth through Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency,” the event captions the growing urgency for Southern African nations to accelerate the clean energy transition as a driver of sustainable economic development.

In his keynote address, Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable July G. Moyo emphasized that the 2026 SADC SEW represents more than just another gathering of stakeholders, it is a platform for action, innovation, and collaboration.

“Energy is not just a commodity; it is the backbone of development and a catalyst for prosperity,” said Minister Moyo. “This launch reaffirms our collective commitment to building a region powered by clean, reliable, and affordable energy.”

The Minister commended SACREEE and the SADC Secretariat for their continued efforts to promote regional integration and renewable energy adoption for an energy secure region. He also extended appreciation to development partners, the private sector, and civil society for supporting efforts aimed at improving energy access across Southern Africa.

During the event, officials unveiled the dates and venue for the 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week, which will take place from 23 to 27 February 2026 at The Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The week-long event will feature ministerial deliberations, the 9th SOLTRAIN Conference, exhibitions, technical site visits, and the SADC SEW Awards, recognizing excellence in energy innovation, access, and efficiency.

The event is expected to attract more than 500 participants from across the SADC region, including Energy Ministers, investors, innovators, regional institutions, and community leaders.

Speakers at the launch emphasized that the upcoming SADC SEW will build on regional frameworks such as the SADC Protocol on Energy (1996) and the Africa Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), while supporting the implementation of the Dar es Salaam Declaration (2025), which aims to electrify 300 million Africans through national Energy Compacts.

Describing Victoria Falls as an ideal location for the regional event, Minister Moyo said the town embodies both natural beauty and the spirit of innovation.

“Hosting the SADC Sustainable Energy Week in Victoria Falls is symbolic, it reflects Africa’s balance between natural power and human ingenuity,” he noted.

SACREEE Executive Director, Mr. Kudakwashe Ndhlukula, gave an overview of the 2026 programme which will focus on six thematic areas:

• Policy and Governance – promoting collaboration and harmonized energy policies.
  
   
• Universal Access and Just Transition – addressing rural electrification and clean cooking and productive use.
  
   
• Financing and Innovation – attracting investment and supporting energy minerals development.
  
   
• Grid interconnectivity, market integration and cross border power trade, integrating digital and renewable energy and storage systems.
  
   
• Energy Efficiency and Industry – enhancing competitiveness through sustainable energy.
  
   
• Emerging Solutions – exploring critical minerals, artificial intelligence and carbon trading.

The launch event concluded with a call to action from Hon. Moyo, urging investors, innovators, and media stakeholders to rally behind the SADC SEW initiative and amplify the message of sustainable energy.

“Let us make the 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week a defining moment for our region,” he said. “Together, we can turn commitment into impact and ensure that clean energy becomes a right, not a privilege.”

As the countdown to the 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week begins, the organizers of the SADC Sustainable Energy Week stand poised to host a transformative gathering that will shape the region’s energy future - one that promises to inspire collaboration, unlock investment, and accelerate Southern Africa’s collective journey toward a cleaner and more resilient energy landscape. For more information on how you can be part of the 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week, visit https://sadcenergyweek.org/