By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Zimbabwe is setting its sights on becoming a significant player in the global renewable energy industry, aiming to move beyond merely supplying raw minerals, the President of the Southern African country has said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa made this declaration while addressing a High-Level Round-table on Energy at the COP29 United Nations Climate Change Conference, emphasizing the creation of green jobs and industrial growth.
During the address themed “Advancing Climate Mitigation Action,” outlined the country’s strategy to foster ecologically-friendly industrialization through the development and implementation of innovative renewable energy technologies.
He highlighted recent legislative changes made in 2023, which curtail the export of unprocessed minerals in favor of incentivizing local beneficiation and value addition.
“Our goal is to transform from a supplier of raw minerals to a notable participant in renewable energy technology products and solutions,” Mnangagwa stated, underlining the importance of creating green jobs and achieving economic diversification.
The President expressed the government’s willingness to partner with the private sector and international stakeholders to optimize the economic advantages of the nation’s mineral resources while minimizing environmental repercussions.
“Our government’s commitment to sustainable mineral development relies on partnerships that develop regional value chains and enhance international cooperation,” he articulated.
Acknowledging the need for significant investments in infrastructure and technology, the President urged global partners to support equitable trade policies that ensure fair returns on processed minerals, enabling Zimbabwe to reinvest in its populace and industries. He also emphasized the critical importance of technology access for the country’s energy transition.
“We thus call upon global partners for cooperation in technology transfer and skills development,” he concluded, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s commitment to a sustainable, inclusive energy future.