Energy security remains a pressing concern in Southern Africa, driving policy and investment priorities across the region. At the 44th Joint Meeting of SADC Ministers Responsible for Energy and Water, held on 17 July 2026, leaders underscored the urgency of securing reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to underpin economic growth and improve livelihoods.
The Ministerial meeting, hosted virtually and in person by South Africa, highlighted how energy security is threatened by rapid demand growth, insufficient generation capacity, inadequate infrastructure, and climate change impacts. These factors combine to make energy access and affordability a daily challenge for millions.
In opening remarks, Ms. Angéle Makombo N'Tumba, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary, stressed that despite the region’s wealth of natural resources—including solar, hydro, coal, and gas—regional energy supply often falls short of demand. Ministers called for scaling up investment, accelerating infrastructure projects, and fostering deeper policy harmonization to attract private sector participation.
South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, identified regional transmission expansion and renewable energy integration as top priorities. “Securing energy supply is fundamental for industrialization and stability. We need coordinated efforts across borders to diversify our energy mix and build resilience to shocks,” Dr. Ramokgopa said.
Progress was reviewed on flagship projects such as the Angola-Namibia Interconnector, regional transmission corridors, and new funding mechanisms like the SADC Regional Transmission Infrastructure Financing Facility (RTIFF). Plans to revise the regional protocol on energy and give greater mandate to the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) were also discussed.
Beyond electricity, the ministers addressed the intertwined challenges of water security and environmental change. Sustained droughts and erratic rainfall threaten both hydropower production and water supplies for communities and agriculture. Ministers reaffirmed commitments to integrated management of shared river basins and groundwater, supporting projects managed by the SADC Groundwater Management Institute and River Basin Organisations.
Concluding the meeting, ministers acknowledged that energy security is not merely a technical issue, but central to SADC’s development vision. They pledged to intensify collaboration, scale up investment readiness, and integrate climate adaptation as preparations begin for the 2026 SADC Heads of State Summit.
*Source: SADC Secretariat*
https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/sadc-ministers-energy-and-water-commit-accelerating-energy-and-water-infrastructure