African Development Bank project restores electricity in Zimbabwean communities following devastating Cyclone Idai
In March 2019, Cyclone Idai tore through Zimbabwe's eastern districts with unprecedented fury, leaving behind a trail of devastation. Among the hardest hit regions were Chimanimani and Chipinge, where the lifelines of modern life—electricity, roads, and water systems—were severed in a matter of hours.
The 155-kilometer powerline stretching from Middle Sabi to Charter, once the backbone of energy supply for Manicaland Province, lay in ruins, plunging over 300,000 people into darkness. For more than two agonizing months, industries ground to a halt, hospitals operated without reliable power for life-saving equipment, and school computer labs stayed closed.
"The cyclone brought operations to a near standstill, recalls Witness Teteni, engineering foreman at Charter Sawmills, a facility employing 320 workers. "We experienced numerous power faults that severely disrupted our work. We had to rely on generators, which are expensive to run and not environmentally friendly.
The African Development Bank stepped forward with a $24.7 million Post-Cyclone Idai Emergency Recovery Project (PCIREP), implemented through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the United Nations agency dedicated to implementing humanitarian and development projects, in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe.
The goal was not just to restore what had been lost, but to provide a better, stronger, and more resilient replacement.
A beacon of light and hope
The electricity component of PCIREP, representing $3.7 million in strategic investment, focused on reinforcing 155 kilometers of 33kV overhead power lines and constructing a new 12-kilometer 33kV distribution line in Chipinge to separate the two districts' power supplies.
It also included infrastructure upgrades such as replacing wooden poles with steel, using installation techniques that help these poles better withstand extreme weather conditions. The project also saw the supply of essential equipment, including vehicles and tools, to the state-owned Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZETDC).
The African Development Bank-supported project has helped restore power to over 300,000 people. 'We have significantly reduced the number of faults in the system,' explains engineer Selina Mudzinganyama, who oversaw the rehabilitation. "Maintenance costs have also gone down because the upgraded design is built to withstand harsher conditions. Clinics, schools, and households now enjoy reliable power, and businesses can operate without constant interruptions."
Echoing this, Andreas Moyo, development engineer for ZETDC's Eastern Region, says, "We now have just our normal faults. The safety, especially for these lines that we reinforced, has improved a lot. We only experience small faults now—one hour, and it's sorted, whereas before we could easily go quite a long time without resolution."
In Chimanimani's health facilities, the impact has been life changing. Clinical nurse Patricia Chikandi describes the transformation: "Reliable electricity has been a game-changer for us. During emergencies, we no longer worry about power cuts, and our vaccines are stored safely in temperature-controlled refrigerators. It has improved the quality of care we provide."
Farai Ndlovu, a student at Chipinge High School, says, "With electricity back, we can use computers in the lab and study after dark. This is helping us prepare better for exams and giving us skills we wouldn't have access to otherwise."
For agriculture workers, it means more earnings. "Before the power line was restored, our irrigation systems were unreliable, and we often lost crops,' says smallholder farmer Tsitsi Mutswairo. 'Now, with consistent electricity, our yields have improved significantly, and we're earning more from our produce."
It's a similar story for Leonard Nyamukondiwa, an agro-processor in Chipinge. "Before the rehabilitation, we couldn't meet our targets because of constant outages. Now, we're able to process more produce, and our profits have increased."
Electricity equals entrepreneurship
Perhaps nowhere is the project's impact more visible than in Jacob Mukunukuji's workshop in Marimauta Village.
Before the power line restoration, Jacob's business was severely constrained by the high cost of diesel generators. Now, with access to reliable three-phase industrial power, his small workshop has become a hub for skills development, training apprentices from local vocational centers, and creating a ripple effect of opportunity throughout the community.
"Having electricity is very, very important because I can make whatever I want," Jacob explains, gesturing toward his creations—rip saw tables, grinding mills, and maize processing equipment that serve farmers across the region.
He points to Paul, whom he trained and now employs as a welder in his workshop. "He is part of the fourth batch I am training. One of my first graduates, Danmore Majuta has his own copper workshop at Rusitu. Another female apprentice is manufacturing window frames and building materials for general local housing maintenance."
A model for sustainable development
Today, the lights are on in Chimanimani and Chipinge. Community elder and farmer Jeremiah Mutasa highlights the transformation: "The power lines have brought hope back to our region. We have electricity for our homes, our farms, and our schools. It's more than just power; it is the light that keeps our community alive."
The project, which aligns with Zimbabwe's National Development Strategy (NDS1), demonstrates how targeted infrastructure investments can transform entire regions.
As the African Development Bank's Power Engineer, Seaga Molepo sums it up: 'The electricity infrastructure interventions under this project exemplify the critical intersection of disaster recovery and sustainable development. The successful collaboration between the Bank, the Government of Zimbabwe, and UNOPS proves that when we align our efforts with clear strategic priorities – particularly 'Lighting and Powering Africa' – we can deliver transformative results that improve the quality of life for the people we serve.'
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
10 hours ago
- Zawya
African Development Bank project restores electricity in Zimbabwean communities following devastating Cyclone Idai
In March 2019, Cyclone Idai tore through Zimbabwe's eastern districts with unprecedented fury, leaving behind a trail of devastation. Among the hardest hit regions were Chimanimani and Chipinge, where the lifelines of modern life—electricity, roads, and water systems—were severed in a matter of hours. The 155-kilometer powerline stretching from Middle Sabi to Charter, once the backbone of energy supply for Manicaland Province, lay in ruins, plunging over 300,000 people into darkness. For more than two agonizing months, industries ground to a halt, hospitals operated without reliable power for life-saving equipment, and school computer labs stayed closed. "The cyclone brought operations to a near standstill, recalls Witness Teteni, engineering foreman at Charter Sawmills, a facility employing 320 workers. "We experienced numerous power faults that severely disrupted our work. We had to rely on generators, which are expensive to run and not environmentally friendly. The African Development Bank stepped forward with a $24.7 million Post-Cyclone Idai Emergency Recovery Project (PCIREP), implemented through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the United Nations agency dedicated to implementing humanitarian and development projects, in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe. The goal was not just to restore what had been lost, but to provide a better, stronger, and more resilient replacement. A beacon of light and hope The electricity component of PCIREP, representing $3.7 million in strategic investment, focused on reinforcing 155 kilometers of 33kV overhead power lines and constructing a new 12-kilometer 33kV distribution line in Chipinge to separate the two districts' power supplies. It also included infrastructure upgrades such as replacing wooden poles with steel, using installation techniques that help these poles better withstand extreme weather conditions. The project also saw the supply of essential equipment, including vehicles and tools, to the state-owned Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZETDC). The African Development Bank-supported project has helped restore power to over 300,000 people. 'We have significantly reduced the number of faults in the system,' explains engineer Selina Mudzinganyama, who oversaw the rehabilitation. "Maintenance costs have also gone down because the upgraded design is built to withstand harsher conditions. Clinics, schools, and households now enjoy reliable power, and businesses can operate without constant interruptions." Echoing this, Andreas Moyo, development engineer for ZETDC's Eastern Region, says, "We now have just our normal faults. The safety, especially for these lines that we reinforced, has improved a lot. We only experience small faults now—one hour, and it's sorted, whereas before we could easily go quite a long time without resolution." In Chimanimani's health facilities, the impact has been life changing. Clinical nurse Patricia Chikandi describes the transformation: "Reliable electricity has been a game-changer for us. During emergencies, we no longer worry about power cuts, and our vaccines are stored safely in temperature-controlled refrigerators. It has improved the quality of care we provide." Farai Ndlovu, a student at Chipinge High School, says, "With electricity back, we can use computers in the lab and study after dark. This is helping us prepare better for exams and giving us skills we wouldn't have access to otherwise." For agriculture workers, it means more earnings. "Before the power line was restored, our irrigation systems were unreliable, and we often lost crops,' says smallholder farmer Tsitsi Mutswairo. 'Now, with consistent electricity, our yields have improved significantly, and we're earning more from our produce." It's a similar story for Leonard Nyamukondiwa, an agro-processor in Chipinge. "Before the rehabilitation, we couldn't meet our targets because of constant outages. Now, we're able to process more produce, and our profits have increased." Electricity equals entrepreneurship Perhaps nowhere is the project's impact more visible than in Jacob Mukunukuji's workshop in Marimauta Village. Before the power line restoration, Jacob's business was severely constrained by the high cost of diesel generators. Now, with access to reliable three-phase industrial power, his small workshop has become a hub for skills development, training apprentices from local vocational centers, and creating a ripple effect of opportunity throughout the community. "Having electricity is very, very important because I can make whatever I want," Jacob explains, gesturing toward his creations—rip saw tables, grinding mills, and maize processing equipment that serve farmers across the region. He points to Paul, whom he trained and now employs as a welder in his workshop. "He is part of the fourth batch I am training. One of my first graduates, Danmore Majuta has his own copper workshop at Rusitu. Another female apprentice is manufacturing window frames and building materials for general local housing maintenance." A model for sustainable development Today, the lights are on in Chimanimani and Chipinge. Community elder and farmer Jeremiah Mutasa highlights the transformation: "The power lines have brought hope back to our region. We have electricity for our homes, our farms, and our schools. It's more than just power; it is the light that keeps our community alive." The project, which aligns with Zimbabwe's National Development Strategy (NDS1), demonstrates how targeted infrastructure investments can transform entire regions. As the African Development Bank's Power Engineer, Seaga Molepo sums it up: 'The electricity infrastructure interventions under this project exemplify the critical intersection of disaster recovery and sustainable development. The successful collaboration between the Bank, the Government of Zimbabwe, and UNOPS proves that when we align our efforts with clear strategic priorities – particularly 'Lighting and Powering Africa' – we can deliver transformative results that improve the quality of life for the people we serve.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:
Zawya
17 hours ago
- Zawya
ECA capacitates Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi in e-commerce tools and marketing strategies
'I commend UNECA and the Government of Italy for this collaboration to organise this workshop that will provide public and private sector stakeholders with practical tools and methodologies to harness the full potential of e-commerce in driving export growth, enhancing market access, and building competitiveness in global and regional markets'. She was speaking at the workshop on E-Commerce Marketing and Business Development Strategies for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Global Markets convened by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) and its Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa (SROSA) and funded by the Government of Italy. The overall objective of the workshop was to strengthen the skills of participants from Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to leverage e-trade opportunities in the context of AfCFTA. Mr. Enrico de Agostini, Ambassador of Italy in Zambia reiterated the importance of capacity building of entrepreneurs in the region to ensure sustainable development. Ms. Beatrice Mutali, United Nations Resident Coordinator, speaking on behalf of the UN family in Zambia underscored the importance of partnerships between governments, international partners, private sector and the UN to address the gaps in digital trade such as infrastructure, connectivity to payment systems and regulatory frameworks. The Director of ECA Subregional office for Southern Africa, Ms. Eunice Kamwendo, in her opening remarks, emphasised the efforts of ECA in implementing innovative and practical initiatives in order to better support member states. An example of which is this e-commerce training that was intended to provide strategic and practical tools necessary to unlock opportunities in the e-commerce space under the AfCFTA and in global markets. She further noted that, the AfCFTA, with its promise of a US$3.4 trillion single market, presents ECA and its partners with a unique platform to reimagine value chains, promote innovation, and stimulate sustainable growth driven by the private sector. 'At ECA, we believe that digitalization when guided by inclusive policies and backed by the right skills can bridge development gaps, unlock new markets, and catalyze youth employment'. To complement the training ECA-SROSA experts presented on the AfCFTA and initiatives related to the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement. Ms. Zodwa Mabuza, Chief Sub-Regional Initiatives outlined the protocol on digital trade indicating that it helps harmonize rules to boost Africa's digital economy, cutting cross-border e-commerce costs, building trust, and supporting Small and Medium Enterprises. Ms. Bineswaree Bolaky, Economic Affairs Officer presented on the AfCFTA, its rationale and instruments, and on ECA's work on AfCFTA, e-commerce and digital trade including outlining ECA's support to member States on developing their National AfCFTA Strategies and Green Supplements to these strategies. Mr. Henry Lubinda, Programme Officer gave an overview of SRO-SA's major areas of support to member States such as inclusive industrialization, green transitions, enhanced food systems and AfCFTA-led trade in Southern Africa. The training consisting of 6 sessions, was facilitated by Mr. Fabio Santoni ASeS-CeFor, the implementing partner of the project funded by Italy. Participants were trained through scenarios and business simulation techniques. At the closing of the workshop, certificates were remitted to participants by Mr. Aime Mbatkam, coordinator of the project at ECA's training arm, the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning. This collaborative initiative between ECA and the Government of Italy aimed at supporting Member states through a capacity building programme for the effective implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement. Under Phase 2, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Malawi, Mauritania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe benefitted from (i) an assessment of e-trade readiness and (ii) a capacity needs assessment of stakeholders for AfCFTA implementation. These studies informed the design of the online training courses that were subseuqently delivered.
Zawya
20 hours ago
- Zawya
Togo 20-year loan overcomes African freeze: IFR
Overcoming challenging conditions for sub-Saharan Africa sovereigns in public bond markets, sub-investment-grade Togo has used credit enhancement from Lloyd's of London insurers and the African Development Bank's concessional lending arm to raise 20-year funding. The West African country's €200m sustainable loan from Deutsche Bank and UK insurer Legal & General, with AfDB as lead arranger, was the first deal under the sustainable financing framework that the sovereign put in place in October. Proceeds will go to eligible green and social projects in areas such as climate adaptation, biodiversity preservation, sustainable agriculture, access to clean energy and pollution control. The facility, which has a five-year grace period and a partial guarantee from the African Development Fund, continues a trend that saw neighbouring Benin close a €507m guaranteed loan in January, also with Deutsche Bank. Benin's 15-year amortising facility has €200m of first-loss protection from the World Bank's International Development Association – IDA's inaugural deal under its new guarantee platform – with the remaining principal and interest covered by African Trade and Investment Development Insurance. Togo's deal also followed a trade finance loan in February from Societe Generale. The World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency provided a €146.4m 95% guarantee on non-payment for three years. Credit enhancement 'Private capital mobilisation through investment-grade guarantees and credit insurance is increasingly relevant [for African and other lower-rated sovereigns],' said Gaetan Cochard, director at Global Sovereign Advisory, financial adviser to Togo. 'If you can crowd in private capital in addition to existing concessional resources, then you are able to multiply funding capability and impact. That's a very big game changer, not only for Togo but for all sovereigns accessing these types of guarantees.' The adviser highlighted the deal's benefits for Togo. 'It's a 20-year maturity and Togo and its regional peers don't have that type of borrowing opportunity from private lenders. So the guarantee really had additionality,' said Clemence Ancelin, associate at GSA. S&P upgraded the sovereign to B+ in April. Besides enhancing the sustainability of Togo's debt and rebalancing its portfolio by increasing the small share of external commercial debt, the loan helps fund its sustainable priorities at a 'particularly attractive' rate, Ancelin said. L&G's share of the loan made the UK insurer the first non-bank lender to work with ADF. It also carried principal and interest insurance from Mosaic Insurance and MS Amlin, which they provided through their Lloyd's syndicates. 'As institutional investors have been publicly involved in debt-for-nature swaps and other long-term EM credit-enhanced transactions, it made sense to try and create a structure for Togo that could be interesting for [them],' said Simon Bessant, global head of insurance and business development at Texel Group. Texel arranged the deal's non-payment insurance, providing 'a creative way of allowing L&G to invest in an asset which had to have an investment-grade exposure and maintain consistent cashflow', Bessant said. 'This shows how insurers and asset managers can work together to close the infrastructure financing gap,' said Nick Oxley, lead underwriter for credit and political risk at MS Amlin. 'We believe these transactions and innovative financing methods are combatting the historic risk-return misperception [over EM]; and demonstrating the compelling investment opportunity for commercial institutional investors to contribute to global sustainable development with investment-grade credit risk,' said Jake Harper, senior investment manager, asset management at L&G. The loan was made on behalf of L&G's institutional retirement business, a spokeswoman said. It does not form part of its new nature and social outcomes strategy. The insurer has now committed almost US$500m to sovereign use-of-proceeds loans in Africa, including social infrastructure and renewable energy deals in Ivory Coast and Senegal, respectively, and a separate deal under the nature strategy. Deutsche was not involved in those transactions. The bank would not comment on whether it had also insured its exposure to Togo. ADF also brought in what AfDB chief financial officer Hassatou N'Sele described as 'highly rated credit insurance partners' to cover its guarantee. More to come More African sovereigns could follow Togo and Benin's lead. 'It's a superb solution and should be part of the strategy of all sovereigns who aim to optimise access to commercial funding in current markets or want to have an efficient debt management,' said Cochard. 'The long-dated and sustainably priced structure that was achieved from this transaction would surely be attractive to other EM issuers looking for a bond-like product,' added Bessant. Lenders have the twin comfort of ADF monitoring the deal and its use of proceeds being governed by a sustainable financing framework, he said. 'You have a lot of additional reporting that is clearly supportive of a transparent borrowing, infrastructure and sustainable development goal that has been achieved by [the] transaction. It is not just budgetary lending with opaque use of proceeds and refinancing risk at maturity.' Source:
