By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Zimbabwe is on the cusp of a major transformation, with new international support and investment opportunities set to drive climate resilience, renewable energy expansion, and green economic growth, according to UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon.
Speaking at a high-level climate event in Harare themed “A Moment of Opportunity: Supercharging the New Energy Era,” Mr Kallon outlined how the country can leverage current UN-supported programs and upcoming global platforms—like COP15 and COP30—to unlock climate finance, build resilient communities, and create green jobs, particularly for women and youth.
“Zimbabwe, despite its vulnerabilities, is making commendable strides in climate resilience and mitigation,” Kallon said.
“The impacts of climate change are real, but so too are the opportunities for long-term economic and social development.”
What’s in it for Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe is well-positioned to benefit from new climate financing, including the recently launched Zimbabwe Renewable Energy Fund (ZimREF).
Backed by a $10 million UN SDG Joint Fund grant and designed to attract over $100 million through blended finance, ZimREF is already unlocking investment through government incentives like Prescribed Asset Status for investors.
This fund presents a game-changing opportunity to:
Reduce the country’s energy deficit
Expand public-private partnerships
Create jobs in the clean energy sector
Through the Solar for Health initiative, supported by UNDP and the Global Fund, 1,050 health facilities across Zimbabwe now benefit from solar energy. This ensures consistent service delivery, especially in rural and off-grid communities—improving maternal care, vaccine storage, and emergency services.
This energy access contributes to:
Strengthened rural healthcare systems
Reduced dependence on costly and unreliable power sources
Cleaner, sustainable electricity solutions
Through the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund, more than 1.1 million people in 23 disaster-prone districts have received support via:
Climate-smart agriculture
Biogas energy for cooking
Drought-resistant crops and water-saving practices
These initiatives directly help communities withstand climate shocks while boosting:
Agricultural productivity
Household incomes
Sustainable natural resource use
Zimbabwe is about to host the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, drawing over 170 countries to Victoria Falls. This positions Zimbabwe as a global advocate for wetland conservation, opening doors for:
Tourism and eco-investment
New bilateral and multilateral environmental partnerships
Greater visibility for its climate leadership
Mr. Kallon highlighted Zimbabwe’s growing international reputation for championing inclusive climate policy, especially its recent leadership during the Expert Dialogue on Children and Climate Change in Bonn.
With support from the UN, Zimbabwe is prioritizing:
Women’s leadership in climate resilience
Green jobs and training for youth
Indigenous and community participation in environmental governance
The UN is committed to bolstering Zimbabwe’s Climate Investment Framework, enhancing the country’s ability to attract global financing and deliver on its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Zimbabwe’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33% per capita by 2030 is ambitious—but achievable with sustained UN support and donor backing.
“This is not just a climate issue—it’s a development opportunity,” said Mr. Kallon. “With the right partnerships, Zimbabwe can lead in Africa’s green transition.”
Looking ahead to COP30 in Brazil, Mr. Kallon emphasized the need for Zimbabwe to maintain momentum and update its climate commitments. He urged stakeholders to view climate action as a pathway to economic diversification, sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and improved public services.
Zimbabwe’s rich biodiversity, arable land, and youthful population give it a strategic advantage. If leveraged effectively, these assets could transform the nation into a regional model for climate resilience and sustainable development.
Zimbabwe stands to gain not only from financial investment and energy transformation, but also from enhanced global recognition, empowered local communities, and a more sustainable future—all enabled by strong UN-government collaboration and a shared vision for climate action.
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