Zimbabwe’s Cabinet has green-lit a strategic public-private partnership with a Chinese firm that marks a significant step toward boosting local industrial capacity in the energy sector. Under the approved deal, ZESA Enterprises – a subsidiary of Zimbabwe’s national power utility ZESA Holdings, will team up with Shanghai Jingdao Electric Co., Ltd. to build a modern manufacturing and assembly plant for power equipment, including switchgears, smart meters, and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
The plant is set to address Zimbabwe’s growing demand for contemporary grid infrastructure components as the national electricity network expands and older equipment is phased out. By producing these devices locally, Zimbabwe aims to reduce dependence on imports, improve energy supply reliability, and position itself as a regional supplier of quality switchgear products. Smart meters will also enhance billing accuracy, helping utilities improve revenue collection – a key challenge in power financing and sustainability.
Beyond switchgears and meters, the inclusion of EV charger manufacturing aligns with global trends toward cleaner mobility and energy transition. As African economies explore ways to integrate renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions, local production of EV infrastructure signals forward-looking industrial cooperation that taps into global clean-energy markets.
According to Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere, the joint venture will deliver technology transfer, import substitution, foreign-currency savings, job creation, and downstream industrial stimulus – benefits that contribute directly to national development goals. Through enhanced manufacturing capacity, Zimbabwe can stimulate its economy while strengthening its energy sector’s resilience.
This partnership builds on a broader landscape of China-Zimbabwe collaboration in energy and industrial development. China has long been engaged in supporting Zimbabwe’s power infrastructure: past initiatives include the Kariba South Hydropower Station expansion, funded and constructed by Chinese firms, boosting capacity and reliability for households and businesses alike.
Chinese involvement in Zimbabwe’s industrialisation extends beyond energy. Projects such as the construction of the New Parliament Building, developed by a Chinese contractor and completed in 2022 and Chinese-invested industrial parks have underscored the depth of bilateral cooperation in key sectors like governance infrastructure, mining, and manufacturing.
The new power-equipment venture reflects a shared vision for industrial transformation, where local production capabilities help anchor economic growth and reduce import reliance.
