By A Correspondent

In a move that appears more focused on political maneuvering than genuine development, the government of Zimbabwe has launched the much-publicized Presidential Rural Solar Installation programme in Mashonaland West. This project, which is meant to electrify up to 1.2 million rural households by 2030, is being rolled out as part of a broader narrative of rural empowerment and industrialization.

Speaking at a meeting in Chinhoyi, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Marian Chombo, framed the initiative as a major step towards bridging the urban-rural divide. “This project demonstrates our commitment to sustainable energy solutions,” she proclaimed, conveniently tying it to the President’s rural industrialization agenda. The truth, however, may not be so simple.

Chombo highlighted that the programme would solarize at least 1.2 million households across the nation by 2030, with an ambitious goal of benefiting 200,000 households annually starting in 2025. Yet, given Zimbabwe’s track record of over-promised but under-delivered initiatives, this claim raises more questions than it answers.

Mr. Gabriel Jaji, the Permanent Secretary for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, added that Kariba district would spearhead the programme, due to its perceived vulnerability. He emphasized that districts such as Siyakobvu and Mola would be prioritized, but again, one cannot ignore the political undertones of this decision—Kariba is home to many voters from various influential constituencies. Could this move be an attempt to court support ahead of upcoming elections?

The government’s narrative is further bolstered by the involvement of several local authorities and organizations, including the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), and Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT). These stakeholders have applauded the programme as a means to reduce dependence on non-renewable energy and catalyze rural industrialization. However, skepticism lingers.

“Identifying needy communities in blackout zones is a start, but the true test will lie in the delivery,” said Engineer Last Sauramba, highlighting that real change requires more than just flashy announcements. The focus on training local youths to handle installation and maintenance sounds promising, but one has to wonder whether this initiative is aimed at long-term sustainability or merely serving as a temporary solution to score political points.

For all the talk of rural empowerment, it’s hard to ignore the optics of a government that has a history of unveiling major projects right before an election season. The emphasis on vulnerable groups such as war veterans and households in need may seem altruistic, but is it really about addressing energy poverty, or is it simply a ploy to rally rural voters?

In the end, the solar initiative may or may not bring tangible benefits to the people of Mashonaland West. But with the election cycle on the horizon, one cannot help but wonder if this is all just another political gimmick designed to win the hearts and minds of a crucial constituency. Only time will tell whether this ambitious project delivers on its promises or fades into the background like so many others before it.