More than 300,000 people in Zimbabwe’s Manicaland province have regained access to electricity following the completion of a $3.7-million African Development Bank (AfDB)-funded infrastructure rehabilitation project.
The restoration under the AfDB’s Post-Cyclone Idai Emergency Recovery Project marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s recovery from the cyclone, which devastated the country’s eastern Chimanimani and Chipinge districts in March 2019.
The storm destroyed roads, water systems and power infrastructure, plunging communities into darkness for months.
A 155-kilometre powerline from Middle Sabi to Charter, a critical energy supply route for Manicaland province, was among the hardest hit.
Implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in partnership with the Zimbabwean government, the project included reinforcing 155 kilometres of 33kV overhead power lines, constructing a new 12-kilometre 33kV distribution line in Chipinge and replacing wooden poles with steel to improve resilience against extreme weather.
The state-run Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company also received essential equipment, vehicles and tools to enhance maintenance and response times.
The restored power supply has revitalised hospitals, schools and businesses, significantly reducing outages and maintenance costs.
Engineer Selina Mudzinganyama, who oversaw the rehabilitation, noted that faults in the system have decreased, ensuring more reliable electricity for clinics, households and industries.
“We have significantly reduced the number of faults in the system,” she said.
Local businesses, including agro-processors and workshops, have seen increased productivity and profits.
Farmers now benefit from stable irrigation systems, improving crop yields and earnings.
Students at Chipinge High School can once again use computers and study after dark, enhancing their learning opportunities.
The project aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy I and AfDB’s Lighting and Powering Africa initiative, demonstrating how targeted infrastructure investments can drive economic recovery and resilience.
AfDB power engineer Seaga Molepo noted the project’s broader impact.
““The electricity infrastructure interventions under this project exemplify the critical intersection of disaster recovery and sustainable development,” Molepo said.
He attributed the success of the project to the alignment of efforts among AfDB, UNOPS and the Zimbabwe government, enabling the delivery of “transformative results that improve the quality of life for the people we serve.”
JN/APA