Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Richard Moyo has made a strong pitch for increased investment in solar energy, stating that the hosting of the high-level International Solar Alliance (ISA) regional meeting in Victoria Falls must unlock tangible partnerships and projects for the province.
Moyo was speaking on Wednesday during his welcoming address at the eighth meeting of the ISA Regional Committee for the African Region currently underway in Victoria Falls.
He pointed out that the region’s key economic drivers—agriculture, mining, tourism, and industry—offer immense opportunities for solar ventures, especially in remote areas where standard power grids are difficult or costly to develop.
“Our province brings together agriculture, mining, tourism, conservation, industry and communities, all of which require reliable and sustainable energy,” Moyo said.
“Solar energy supports irrigation and agricultural production, strengthens rural development and provides energy solutions in areas where infrastructure may be difficult or costly.”
Moyo emphasised that Matabeleland North is eager to secure investments that directly benefit local communities by generating jobs, enhancing skills, and boosting economic activity.
“Our natural resources, strategic location and existing economic base provide a strong foundation for investment and partnerships that contribute to Zimbabwe’s broader development,” he said.
“We are particularly interested in investment that creates value within the province, develops local skills, supports communities and creates meaningful opportunities for our young people.”
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He challenged delegates to ensure that the high-level deliberations yield concrete local projects and investments rather than ending as just another conference.
“We hope that this gathering will open doors beyond the conference itself — doors to new investment, new partnerships, new projects and new possibilities for our province and our continent,” Moyo said.
Insisting that the meeting’s true success lies in post-conference outcomes, Moyo remarked:“The true measure of this meeting will not only be the quality of the discussions we have here, but what follows after we leave this room.”
The crucial regional gathering drew stakeholders from across Africa to promote solar development and cooperation, coming at a time when Zimbabwe is pushing to expand its renewable energy footprint to ease persistent power shortages and drive economic growth.
