The inaugural SADC Sustainable Energy Week (SEW), hosted by the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), in collaboration with Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals and Energy and the SADC Secretariat, took place in Gaborone, Botswana, from 24 to 28 February.
The SADC SEW convened over 800 delegates from across the region and beyond under the theme “Accelerating Sustainable Energy Solutions for an Energy-Secure SADC Region.” The five-day event provided a dynamic platform for policymakers, development partners, financiers, and industry leaders to drive the regional energy transition agenda forward.
The event was supported by key partners such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative (SOLTRAIN+), and the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADA). This collaborative effort underscored the importance of partnerships in achieving inclusive, resilient, and sustainable energy systems.
The SEW was approved as an annual event by a meeting of the Joint Committee of SADC Ministers responsible for Energy and Water, in May 2024 in Angola, and Botswana and Zimbabwe committed to hosting the event in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
The 2024 SEW, which was originally scheduled to take place from 2-6 December 2024 but was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, focused on key objectives to drive the region’s transition to a sustainable energy future. These included promoting investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency, addressing energy poverty with scalable off-grid solutions, and advocating for policies that support renewable energy adoption. The event also emphasised the importance of regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among governments, the private sector, and financial institutions.
Highlighting gender and youth inclusion, SEW encouraged the participation of women and young entrepreneurs in shaping the energy landscape.
Ministerial Commitments and Regional Cooperation
Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, the President of Botswana officially opened the inaugural SEW with a call on SADC Member States and stakeholders to act in unity to achieve an energy-secure SADC region.
“The time for talk is over. It’s time to act! Let’s work together to build a future where every home, business, and industry in SADC has access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy”, emphasised President Boko.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, President of the Republic of Botswana
The SADC Executive Secretary, Mr Elias Magosi, pointed out that energy security and universal access to energy remain critical catalysts for regional integration and true economic development across all sectors and Member States. He indicated that with approximately 600 million people in the Sub-Saharan Africa who do not have access to electricity, and out of which almost 172 million or 29%, are SADC citizens, there is need for partners in the energy sector to intensify the level of access to electricity by creating and embracing innovative financing mechanisms and alternative access solutions.
Mr Elias Magosi
The Ministerial high-level session emphasised the urgent need to scale up investments in clean energy, enhance cross-border power trading, and mainstream gender and youth participation in the energy sector. Ministers from several SADC Member States echoed the call to align national energy policies with the regional SADC Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan (REEESAP).
TOP DELEGATES: (L to R) Mr Pelaelo Khowe, Hon. Noah Salakae, Mr Francesco La Camera, Hon. Winter Mmolotsi, Mr. Kudakwashe Ndhlukula, Hon. Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, President Duma Boko, Hon. July Moyo, Ambassador Romana Konigsbrun, Mr Elias M Magosi, Hon. Mohlomi Moleko, Hon. Makozo Chikote, Hon. Teddy Lwamba Muba, Hon. Ibrahim Matola and Hon. Estevao Tomas Rafael Pale.
Focus on Financing, Innovation & Off-Grid Renewable Energy
Day 2 sessions explored innovative financing mechanisms to unlock capital for green energy projects, electricity market innovation and grid integration, enabling the environment addressing the challenges and opportunities of transitioning towards smart, flexible, and resilient energy systems in SADC.
The 6th International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition (IOREC) was opened by IRENA’s Director-General Mr Francesco La Camera. The IOREC sessions discussed enabling policies, financing schemes, innovative business models and technology applications for scaling up off-grid renewable energy.
Solar Thermal Solutions for the Region
The 8th SOLTRAIN+ Conference, a flagship component of the SEW, brought together experts from the solar thermal sector to assess progress, share research, and strategise next steps. The conference showcased innovative applications of solar thermal technologies, including successful implementations in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa, the partner countries.
Sessions explored how these systems are improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and supporting local economic development. A special focus was placed on institutional solar water heating, thermal energy storage, and vocational training initiatives supported by the project.
Notably, the SOLTRAIN+ Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion in Renewable emphasised the importance of gender mainstreaming and inclusion in the renewable energy transition. The Botswana Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Hon. Lesego Chombo, emphasized the disproportionate effects of energy poverty on women and girls and the urgency of integrating gender considerations into clean energy efforts policy.
She noted that women constitute only 20% of the energy workforce and called for vocational training, inclusive leadership, and youth engagement in climate-smart sectors.
Hon. Lesego Chombo
Day 4 included the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centers (GN-SEC) session that featured experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from Africa, the Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean coming together to deliberate on equitable pathways toward energy sustainability. Other sessions included energy efficiency technologies, green hydrogen, energy battery storage and e-mobility.
On the final day, technical site visits were held at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) Solar Collector Test Centre, and the University of Botswana’s Solar Thermal Facility.
Technical Tour: Group photo from the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) Collector Test Centre. Photos: SACREEE
Strong Outcomes and Recommendations
Over the five days, the event achieved several key outcomes:
- Strengthened commitment among SADC Member States to harmonise policies and regulations for renewable energy and energy efficiency.
- Renewed support for regional projects under the Regional Green Hydrogen Strategy.
- Clear emphasis on gender mainstreaming and youth engagement in sustainable energy development.
- Strategic partnerships formed for capacity building, technology transfer, and innovative financing mechanisms.
Looking Ahead
The 2024 SADC Sustainable Energy Week not only fostered dialogue but also catalysed action. As the region faces the dual challenges of climate change and energy insecurity, the event highlighted that sustainable energy solutions are both viable and essential for inclusive development.
In his closing remarks, Mr Kudakwashe Ndhlukula, SACREEE Executive Director, reiterated the Centre’s commitment to serve as a knowledge hub and coordination platform for regional energy initiatives. The next steps include tracking progress on commitments made, deepening collaboration with stakeholders, and preparing for the 2026 SADC SEW in Zimbabwe with renewed ambition.
With the right investments, inclusive policies, and continued regional solidarity, a sustainable and energy-secure future for Southern Africa is within reach. – Article compiled by SACREEE
