HARARE, ZIMBABWE – Senior government officials from across Southern Africa gathered this week at the SADC 43rd Joint Meeting for Ministers Responsible for Energy and Water, currently underway at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare. Eswatini played an active role in the high-level meeting, which wraps up on July 4.
The meeting brought together key actors from the SADC Secretariat and member states to address energy shortages and water access challenges affecting the region. Officials exchanged updates and ideas over two days, tackling issues ranging from energy supply gaps to infrastructure development and funding constraints.
Eswatini reported ambitious plans to boost its energy generation capacity with new projects totalling 222.6 megawatts. These include solar, biomass and hydropower initiatives such as the Lower Maguduza (13.6MW), Maguga expansion (10MW), another Lower Maguga project (23MW), a 75MW solar procurement drive, 90MW biomass energy from sugar companies, and 20MW from an independent biomass producer.
Despite these developments, SADC’s regional electricity demand was reported to be exceeding supply by 795MW as of May 2025, underscoring the need for continued investment and collaboration among member states.
Eswatini’s progress in adopting energy-efficient lighting standards was also noted, alongside regional plans to roll out a solar thermal training programme in collaboration with VOCTIM this August. The Southern African Regional Energy Regulatory Authority (RERA) presented steps to strengthen energy regulation across the region.
Member states were urged to ratify the SADC Revised Energy Protocol and the legal instruments establishing the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE). King Mswati III has already signed the Revised Energy Protocol, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is processing the ratification of SACREEE’s founding agreement.
On water matters, delegates discussed the SADC Groundwater Management and Mapping Sub-Grant Project. Eswatini’s successful implementation of this initiative, supported by the SADC Groundwater Management Institute, was singled out.
The meeting also reviewed the revised SADC Regional Water Policy, expected to be adopted in August. The policy aims to harmonise regional water efforts and address the growing impact of climate change on access and infrastructure.
Eswatini and Mozambique were identified as beneficiaries of the SADC Water Fund Infrastructure Development for their joint Lomahasha–Namaacha Cross-Border Water Supply Project. However, the funding currently available falls short of meeting the full water needs of the targeted communities. Eswatini appealed for additional financial support to bring the project to completion.
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