The United Nations SDG-Fund has approved a $45 million programme to transform Zimbabwe’s renewable energy (RE) drive.

The programme is focused on catalysing investments in renewable energy for the acceleration of the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country. The UN SDG-Fund is contributing $10 million to the programme whilst the government of Zimbabwe through the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) and local partners including Old Mutual Investment Group (OMIG), Zimnat Asset Management and CABS are supporting the programme with $35m.

The 4-year programme, which is expected to kick-off in April 2022, was jointly developed by UNESCO (lead agency), UNWOMEN, UNDP and the government of Zimbabwe. It aims to leverage private investments in order to support renewable energy based projects for the achievement of the SDGs in Zimbabwe.

The main intervention of the programme centres on the establishment of an innovative inclusive and gender responsive Renewable Energy Fund (REF) that aims to leverage private sector and financial markets to finance renewable energy projects that have a return on investment while achieving social impact for the acceleration of SDG achievement in Zimbabwe.

The joint programme will therefore carry out a full-scale demonstration of concept of the REF instruments driving an innovative model of accelerated local SDG achievement and economic empowerment of communities through the transformational impact of introducing RE technology with new entrepreneurship opportunities, income and job creation and improved quality of life and the environment.

By focusing not just on investing in projects, but also on building technically skilled manpower in STEM, renewable energy and ICT fields, the programme will have a long-term impact towards increasing the uptake of renewable energy in the country.

The active involvement of the United Nations system and Old Mutual Investment Group will provide credibility and a “halo effect” thereby providing a wider stage and audience for the Fund’s activities. The Fund is expected to unlock over $30m from the Zimbabwean financial markets, and regional and international development focus entities, the bulk of which would otherwise not typically be directed towards renewable energy financing.