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In last year’s elections in Kenya, the transition to clean energy was a prominent issue in the manifestos of political parties. President William Ruto’s government has since reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to achieving 100% clean energy by 2030. Now, another important election is taking place in Zimbabwe, and it is crucial for political parties to address critical issues in depth and provide actionable roadmaps for economic transformation. With hyperinflation, foreign currency shortages, and frequent power outages plaguing the country’s economy, extensive work is needed to improve the situation.

While the ruling party in Zimbabwe has not released a manifesto for the upcoming elections, the main opposition party, the Citizen’s Coalition for Change (CCC), has presented its plans for the energy and transport sectors. In their manifesto titled “A New Great Zimbabwe, Blueprint For Everyone,” the CCC highlights various proposals.

One significant promise is to “Free the airwaves” and introduce cheaper internet options, including Starlink. Currently, fiber-to-home internet in Zimbabwe is expensive, with limited access in urban areas. By expediting Starlink’s entry into the country, the CCC aims to improve internet availability, particularly in remote locations, and provide an alternative for those already connected.

Additionally, the CCC’s manifesto includes plans such as securing funding for the construction of the Batoka Gorge hydro station, which would add approximately 800MW to the energy mix. The party also aims to restore locally supervised public transport systems, develop the national railway track infrastructure, decommission diesel trains in favor of electric trains, and attract concessionaires to operate freight and passenger trains.

To transform Zimbabwe into a regional railway hub, the CCC proposes constructing new railway links and lines connecting to neighboring countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia. The party also emphasizes the importance of establishing an independent regulatory authority for the railway sector and introducing a national rail safety program.

Furthermore, the CCC plans to create urban metro systems, starting with the development of a modern metro network in major cities like Harare and Bulawayo. Expanding the installed generation capacity to at least 6,000MW by 2029 is another goal outlined in the manifesto.

While the ruling party’s performance over the past five years will be evaluated by voters, these elections in Zimbabwe are expected to be contentious due to various reasons. It is essential for political parties to focus on critical issues and present comprehensive and achievable plans for the country’s economy, energy, and transport sectors.

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