Posted on :Monday , 14th October 2024

Zimbabwe has launched a nationwide street lighting program, starting with a pilot project in Harare that involves installing over 1,200 new lights.This initiative is part of President Mnangagwa’s "Zimbabwe is Open for Business" policy and his collaboration with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The project will cover approximately 35km of Harare’s major roads, enhancing safety and traffic flow.

Key roads already lit include Julius Nyerere Way, Seke Road, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo (Airport) Road, and Samora Machel Avenue. The project also involves replacing old cables, refurbishing streetlight poles, and introducing a modern management system. This system will monitor the performance of the lights, control their switching and dimming, and detect faults or vandalism in real-time from a back office.

Permanent Secretary for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs, Mr. Tafadzwa Muguti, praised the progress made under the Second Republic, highlighting the importance of street lighting in Harare after 15 years of neglect. The project is a result of the partnership between Zimbabwe and Rwanda, which was formalized through an agreement between ZESA Holdings and Rwanda Energy Group.

ZESA, in partnership with the Rwandan government, aims to expand this program to all 10 provincial capitals. A local company, Exodus, has been contracted for the installation.