Zimbabwe is trying to decentralize major sectors with Electricity Transmission And Distribution also seeing some changes

For as long as i can remember, i have only known one company controlling the generation and distribution of Electricity in Zimbabwe. Zesa Holdings through it’s subsidiaries , the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), has been the only licensed company. To say that they haven’t been delivering is an understatement, with Zimbabweans plunged into darkness and in most severe cases going 18 to 21 hours without electricity a few years back when the situation reached a critical point but all this is soon to change as private entities in Zimbabwe be licensed to generate, distribute, and transmit electricity across the country to tackle this crisis. This trend of licensing private players has been spreading in different industries in Zimbabwe and it’s safe to say it’s working one notable sector as we mentioned in previous articles is the telecommunications sector. But it’s not all good news though…

These entities will operate as electricity retailers within designated zones, thereby complementing the work by the national utility, ZESA Holdings.
This initiative arises from the recognition that ZESA currently faces challenges in extending its services to all emerging urban developments, hence the decision to engage the private sector.

A comparable framework has been adopted in neighbouring Zambia, where private companies such as the Copperbelt Energy Company and the North Western Energy Company are responsible for electricity transmission and distribution.
Addressing a National Energy Compact workshop held in Harare on 14 May 2025, the Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, confirmed that Cabinet had resolved to involve private sector players in the electricity supply chain. Said Moyo:

ZESA’s investment might not be enough to take electricity to all households. So we invite the private sector to consider becoming retailers in those areas. Our position, which Cabinet has already agreed to, is that we should invite the private sector.

Like the evolution we witnessed in telecommunications why not outright license the private sector to independently compete with Zesa because competition compels companies to provide best service delivery for the consumers. The monopoly usually breeds incompetence and lack of urgency if one knows there is little to no competition.

The introduction of StarLink forced big player like Econet to come with a fresh approach and introduce more affordable rates which makes us wonder, if they were capable of doing this then why didn’t they do it, one obvious answer no competition. It’s known practice in business to expand and crush competition and when you are the only player left, you do whatever you want with the consumers. Healthy competition is always beneficial to the consumers because it forces quality and affordable products and services.

Maybe as they say these are just rumblings of a mad man but there is something to think about here. Why not just fully privatize and let the best man win, this proposed retailing model though a step in the right direction will not solve our issues but giving it a try maybe we will realize full privatization is the way to go. These private entities need to be in direct competition with Zesa not work for Zesa.

A few years back the electricity crisis reached an all time low with some regions going for 18 - 21 hours a day without electricity. You would go to sleep without electricity and wake up without it after it had been back for a few hours in the middle of them night. If you are not a night owl you would go weeks without seeing electricity.

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