Government Unveils EELA Zimbabwe Program to Promote Clean Technology and Livelihoods

The Government of Zimbabwe has officially launched the Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa (EELA) – Zimbabwe Country Window, a regional initiative aimed at promoting sustainable industrialization through the uptake of energy-efficient technologies and improved e-waste management.

The launch, held at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare, was officiated by the Permanent Secretary for Industry and Commerce, Dr Thomas Utete Wushe who described the project as a timely intervention aligned with Zimbabwe’s goal of achieving universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services by 2030.

“This project goes beyond saving electricity. It is about enabling inclusive economic growth, protecting our environment, and enhancing industrial competitiveness,” said Dr Utete Wushe, addressing delegates that included the Minister of Energy and Power Development Honourable July Moyo, Permanent Secretary Dr. Gloria Magombo, senior government officials, diplomats, and representatives from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Government of Sweden.

The EELA Zimbabwe Country Window is part of a broader regional program supported by UNIDO and Sweden. In Zimbabwe, the initiative is designed to boost the adoption of energy-efficient lighting and appliances, stimulate investments in low-carbon industrial solutions, and strengthen e-waste regulation.

The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the program is directly aligned with Zimbabwe’s National Energy Efficiency Policy (NEEP), Low Emission Development Strategy (LEDS 2020), and the ongoing Zimbabwe Industrial Recovery and Growth Plan (ZIRGP).

He also revealed that the Ministry is in the process of developing a new policy framework, the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy (ZNIDP) 2 (2026–2030), which will include a dedicated pillar on sustainable industrialization.

“As we shape the ZNIDP 2, we are consulting stakeholders nationwide to ensure the policy reflects the innovation and ambition required for Zimbabwe’s industrial transformation. Sustainability will be at the heart of this strategy,” said Dr Utete Wushe

Permanent Secretary for Industry and Commerce, Dr Thomas Utete Wushe Poses for a group photo with stakeholders

The project aims to deliver on three main outcomes:

• Increased market uptake of energy-efficient appliances through policy and private sector development;

• Establishment of a Private Sector Industry Clean Tech Platform to accelerate industrial greening;

• Enhanced institutional capacity for e-waste management and regulatory enforcement.

The Project Steering Committee (PSC), officially inaugurated during the event, will oversee the implementation of the initiative, providing strategic direction, approving budgets, and ensuring consistency with national priorities.

The Permanent Secretary thanked UNIDO and the Swedish government for their continued support, noting that their partnership is instrumental in integrating energy efficiency across economic sectors and unlocking innovative solutions for sustainable livelihoods.

Dr Thomas Utete Wushe shares a lighter moment with delegates

“This is more than just a technical intervention — it is a pathway to job creation, poverty reduction, and climate resilience. Let us embrace this opportunity with shared purpose and determination,” he concluded.

The EELA Zimbabwe project marks a significant step toward the country’s broader vision of a greener, inclusive, and industrially advanced economy.

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