THE Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has installed a 45-kilowatt solar system in Chiwenga area of Muzarabani district, with several households, a clinic, two schools and a business centre benefitting from the project.
The development marks a significant step forward in the government’s ongoing rural electrification drive, aimed at ensuring inclusive access to energy in line with Vision 2030 and the national mantra of “leaving no one and no place behind.”
Teachers and pupils at Chiwenga Primary and Secondary Schools expressed delight at the electrification of their schools, noting that it has brought rural education standards closer to those of urban centres.
“As a teacher, I am very pleased with the provision of electricity at our school. There is now little difference between us and those in towns. We plan to introduce technical subjects soon.”
“We are grateful to REA for the electricity. We can now learn computers and study at night,” a student said.
At the local clinic, patients and health workers hailed the arrival of electricity as a lifesaving intervention, particularly during medical emergencies.
Business owners in the area also welcomed the electrification, citing improved capacity to store perishable goods and increased potential for economic activity.
“This development will boost business. People used to walk long distances for fresh meat and cold drinks, we can now provide those services locally,” a business owner stated.
REA’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Felista Makumbinde, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to electrifying all rural communities by the year 2030.
“Chiwenga is one of the most remote areas in the country, but that does not deter us. Our mission is to electrify all rural communities by 2030, and this is just one of many similar projects.”
Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Christopher Magomo, said the project is a testament to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s development agenda.
“What has happened here today is clear evidence that President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind is bearing fruit.”
Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Honourable Zhemu Soda, echoed similar sentiments, saying the installation is a game changer for one of the country’s most remote regions.
“The electrification of Chiwenga underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive development, even in the most remote areas,” he said.
The Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable July Moyo, highlighted the broader impacts of rural electrification on education, healthcare, and local business.
“I expect to see a rise in school pass rates, improved service delivery at the clinic, and the growth of local businesses. Electricity is a catalyst for all these developments.”
The electrification of rural areas is in line with government’s vision to attain an upper-middle-income society
