Botswana President Duma has called on Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries to unite in driving the region toward a sustainable energy future, emphasising that no single nation can tackle the challenge alone.
Speaking at the official opening of the SADC Sustainable Energy Summit in Gaborone on Monday, Duma underscored the need for collective action in implementing energy supply strategies.
“Implementation of energy supply strategies needs collective efforts as it transcends our borders. No single country can do it alone,” he told more than 500 delegates who included energy ministers from the 16-member SADC bloc, energy sector experts and members of the academia.
He called on SADC member states to move from “rhetoric to action” as the region battles energy challenges marked by daily power outages in several countries.
“By developing regional energy projects, harmonising our policies and sharing best practices, we can maximise the benefits of our collective resources.”
Duma urged the region to accelerate efforts in energy generation and distribution, with a special focus on renewable energy sources.
He also linked energy security to broader economic ambitions, stating that achieving a stable energy supply is crucial for advancing industrialisation and integrating regional economies under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The Botswana president acknowledged the role of regional collaborations such as the Southern African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, the Southern African Power Pool, and the Regional Electricity Regulators Association of Southern Africa in advancing the energy agenda.
He noted that energy is a fundamental human right and that addressing energy poverty in the region is crucial for economic growth.
Millions across SADC, particularly in rural areas, lack access to reliable energy, limiting essential services such as healthcare, education and communication, he said.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi revealed that electricity access remains highly uneven across the region.
While some member states, such as Mauritius and Seychelles, have achieved universal electricity access, others still have rates below 30 percent.
“To address this, urgent and robust investments are needed in power generation, transmission and diversification into renewable energy sources such as wind and solar,” Magosi said.
The summit also marked the launch of the SADC Sustainable Energy Week, an initiative that will be held annually to drive discussions on policy frameworks, investment opportunities, financing, grid integration and renewable energy technologies for a just energy transition.
The event features high-level presentations, panel discussions, business-to-business meetings and networking sessions aimed at accelerating energy reforms across the region.
JN/APA