The Southern African Development Community has renewed its call for greater diversification of the regional energy mix, emphasising renewable energy and a broader portfolio of technologies as central to economic transformation and long term resilience across southern Africa.
Addressing delegates at the opening of Sustainable Energy Week in Victoria Falls on 25 February, SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi stated that energy security and universal access remain foundational to regional integration, industrial development and inclusive growth. The event convened policymakers, researchers, financiers and industry representatives from across the region.
According to figures presented by the SADC Secretariat, coal currently accounts for approximately 59 percent of installed electricity generation capacity across the region, while hydropower contributes about 24 percent. Lower carbon sources including solar, wind and natural gas have increased their share from around 3 percent a decade ago to roughly 12 percent. These figures broadly align with regional energy assessments published by institutions such as the International Energy Agency and the International Renewable Energy Agency, which note that southern Africa remains structurally dependent on coal, particularly through South Africa’s generation fleet, while renewable capacity has grown steadily over the past decade.
Magosi observed that around 56 percent of the SADC population currently has access to electricity. This estimate is consistent with data trends reported by the World Bank, which show that access rates in sub Saharan Africa have improved in recent years but remain uneven between urban and rural communities. Within SADC, member states display wide variation in electrification levels, reflecting differences in infrastructure investment, geography and economic structure.
The Executive Secretary highlighted the vulnerability exposed by climate related droughts between 2024 and 2025, which reduced river levels and constrained hydropower output in several countries. Hydropower dependent systems in parts of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique have historically faced generation shortfalls during prolonged dry periods. Energy analysts have cautioned that climate variability is likely to intensify, reinforcing the case for diversified generation portfolios that are less exposed to hydrological risk.
In this context, SADC has reiterated support for expanding renewable energy deployment, improving energy efficiency and strengthening regional power trade through the Southern African Power Pool, which operates under the auspices of the Southern African Development Community. Cross border electricity trading has been identified by regional planners as a mechanism for balancing supply and demand fluctuations, optimising resource endowments and reducing system costs.
Magosi also referred to a range of complementary technologies. These include cleaner coal technologies aimed at improving plant efficiency and reducing emissions from existing assets, gas to power projects, the peaceful use of nuclear energy where feasible and compliant with international safety standards, and emerging options such as green hydrogen and virtual power plants supported by distributed rooftop solar. While the feasibility of each pathway varies across member states, regional energy strategies increasingly reflect a technology neutral approach that seeks to balance development needs with environmental considerations.
The theme of this year’s gathering, Driving Regional Economic Growth through Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency, reflects a policy shift that situates energy within a broader developmental framework. Industrialisation, mineral beneficiation, agro processing and digital infrastructure all depend on reliable and affordable electricity. At the same time, African governments face the dual imperative of expanding access while navigating global climate commitments and evolving energy markets.
From a pan African perspective, the debate on diversification is not solely about reducing emissions. It is also about sovereignty, resilience and equitable development. Southern Africa is endowed with significant solar irradiation, wind corridors, hydrological resources, coal reserves and critical minerals essential to renewable technologies. Harnessing this diversity in a balanced manner has been framed by regional leaders as central to shaping an African led energy transition that reflects local realities rather than externally imposed timelines.
Energy economists note that financing remains a decisive factor. Large scale renewable projects, grid upgrades and new generation technologies require substantial capital investment. Multilateral development banks, regional financial institutions and private sector actors are increasingly active in the sector, yet cost of capital in many African markets remains comparatively high. Addressing regulatory certainty, creditworthiness of utilities and regional coordination has therefore become integral to energy reform discussions.
SADC’s renewed emphasis on diversification follows a series of policy frameworks adopted over the past decade, including regional renewable energy and energy efficiency strategies. Progress has been incremental rather than uniform, with some member states advancing utility scale solar and wind procurement programmes while others focus on rehabilitating existing thermal and hydro assets.
The Victoria Falls meeting brought together more than 500 participants, underscoring the scale of interest in the region’s energy future. Discussions are expected to cover grid integration of renewables, energy efficiency standards, regional interconnectors, and innovative financing models.
As southern Africa navigates demographic growth, urbanisation and industrial ambition, the question of how to secure reliable power while broadening access remains central. The call for diversification articulated this week signals a continued effort by regional institutions to reconcile developmental priorities with environmental stewardship, grounded in the specific social and economic contexts of the region.
