The AfDB-funded Post-Cyclone Idai Emergency Recovery Project restored electricity access, revitalizing businesses across communities in Zimbabwe
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, June 17, 2025/APO Group/ --
In March 2019, Cyclone Idai tore through Zimbabwe's eastern districts with unprecedented fury, leaving behind a trail of devastation. Among the hardest hit regions were Chimanimani and Chipinge, where the lifelines of modern life—electricity, roads, and water systems—were severed in a matter of hours.

African Development Bank project restores electricity in Zimbabwean communities following devastating Cyclone Idai

One of the many electrical facilities installed as part of Cyclone Idai recovery infrastructure following

Thanks to improved electricity access, Jacob's income from his workshop has increased, allowing him to build a larger home for his family (1)

Thanks to improved electricity access, Jacob's income from his workshop has increased, allowing him to build a larger home for his family (2)

An apprentice learns welding and metalwork at a community entrepreneurship center powered by electricity from the AfDB-funded Post-Cyclone Idai Emergency Recovery Project
The 155-kilometer powerline stretching from Middle Sabi to Charter, once the backbone of energy supply for Manicaland Province, lay in ruins, plunging over 300,000 people into darkness. For more than two agonizing months, industries ground to a halt, hospitals operated without reliable power for life-saving equipment, and school computer labs stayed closed.
"The cyclone brought operations to a near standstill, recalls Witness Teteni, engineering foreman at Charter Sawmills, a facility employing 320 workers. "We experienced numerous power faults that severely disrupted our work. We had to rely on generators, which are expensive to run and not environmentally friendly.
The African Development Bank stepped forward with a $24.7 million Post-Cyclone Idai Emergency Recovery Project (PCIREP), implemented through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the United Nations agency dedicated to implementing humanitarian and development projects, in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe.
The goal was not just to restore what had been lost, but to provide a better, stronger, and more resilient replacement.
A beacon of light and hope
The electricity component of PCIREP, representing $3.7 million in strategic investment, focused on reinforcing 155 kilometers of 33kV overhead power lines and constructing a new 12-kilometer 33kV distribution line in Chipinge to separate the two districts' power supplies.
It also included infrastructure upgrades such as replacing wooden poles with steel, using installation techniques that help these poles better withstand extreme weather conditions. The project also saw the supply of essential equipment, including vehicles and tools, to the state-owned Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZETDC).
The African Development Bank-supported project has helped restore power to over 300,000 people. “We have significantly reduced the number of faults in the system,” explains engineer Selina Mudzinganyama, who oversaw the rehabilitation. "Maintenance costs have also gone down because the upgraded design is built to withstand harsher conditions. Clinics, schools, and households now enjoy reliable power, and businesses can operate without constant interruptions."
Echoing this, Andreas Moyo, development engineer for ZETDC’s Eastern Region, says, "We now have just our normal faults. The safety, especially for these lines that we reinforced, has improved a lot. We only experience small faults now—one hour, and it’s sorted, whereas before we could easily go quite a long time without resolution."
In Chimanimani's health facilities, the impact has been life changing. Clinical nurse Patricia Chikandi describes the transformation: "Reliable electricity has been a game-changer for us. During emergencies, we no longer worry about power cuts, and our vaccines are stored safely in temperature-controlled refrigerators. It has improved the quality of care we provide."
Farai Ndlovu, a student at Chipinge High School, says, "With electricity back, we can use computers in the lab and study after dark. This is helping us prepare better for exams and giving us skills we wouldn't have access to otherwise."
For agriculture workers, it means more earnings. "Before the power line was restored, our irrigation systems were unreliable, and we often lost crops,” says smallholder farmer Tsitsi Mutswairo. “Now, with consistent electricity, our yields have improved significantly, and we're earning more from our produce."
It’s a similar story for Leonard Nyamukondiwa, an agro-processor in Chipinge. "Before the rehabilitation, we couldn't meet our targets because of constant outages. Now, we're able to process more produce, and our profits have increased."
Electricity equals entrepreneurship
Perhaps nowhere is the project's impact more visible than in Jacob Mukunukuji's workshop in Marimauta Village.
Before the power line restoration, Jacob's business was severely constrained by the high cost of diesel generators. Now, with access to reliable three-phase industrial power, his small workshop has become a hub for skills development, training apprentices from local vocational centers, and creating a ripple effect of opportunity throughout the community.
"Having electricity is very, very important because I can make whatever I want," Jacob explains, gesturing toward his creations—rip saw tables, grinding mills, and maize processing equipment that serve farmers across the region.
He points to Paul, whom he trained and now employs as a welder in his workshop. "He is part of the fourth batch I am training. One of my first graduates, Danmore Majuta has his own copper workshop at Rusitu. Another female apprentice is manufacturing window frames and building materials for general local housing maintenance."
A model for sustainable development
Today, the lights are on in Chimanimani and Chipinge. Community elder and farmer Jeremiah Mutasa highlights the transformation: "The power lines have brought hope back to our region. We have electricity for our homes, our farms, and our schools. It's more than just power; it is the light that keeps our community alive."
The project, which aligns with Zimbabwe's National Development Strategy (NDS1), demonstrates how targeted infrastructure investments can transform entire regions.
As the African Development Bank’s Power Engineer, Seaga Molepo sums it up: “The electricity infrastructure interventions under this project exemplify the critical intersection of disaster recovery and sustainable development. The successful collaboration between the Bank, the Government of Zimbabwe, and UNOPS proves that when we align our efforts with clear strategic priorities – particularly 'Lighting and Powering Africa' – we can deliver transformative results that improve the quality of life for the people we serve.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
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Federal Duunimayno
Siilanyo Duunimayno
Walawayn Duunimayno
His excellency President Dahir Riyale does not come by private plain because he would rather save the money for the army and police who are keeping peace in the republic!
whereas, Dahabshil instead of paying taxes to the government so that poor people in burco and hargeisa have schools and roads, they rather give it to siilayo to come by private plain and ask the same poor people to leave their small shops and lose thier daily income just to great Somaliland's John Mccain!
That plain belongs to the poor people of somaliland and not to Mr.MCcain!
Welcome Mujaahid. We should avoid reacting to UDUB's instigation and only welcome our hiro peacefully, because what they want is very clear. They want that the peace we earned to go out of hand.
Dear countrymen & women we should not allow this. This is their last chance, and we are coming to succeed. This is what is burning them now.
We have to avoid anything that might lead to disturbances.
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If you are UDUB supporter, you had your days, you are going no where, allow Kulmiye, if Kulmiye goes no where, then we have to all come together.
UDUB is just playing old dirty politics, making up things like Silanyo is pro-Somalia. What for? Silanyo left Somalia 20 years ago then he had one of the best portfolio (Finance Minister), he left to establish the struggle. What did Rayale do?
The private jet is a good gessure from the American and Ethiopian government not only for Silanyo but to the Somaliland people, today the African Union will discuss the recognition of Somaliland at the AU summit.
Lets have this election first.
Why did you delete my comment?
No one deleted your comments, it's possible that you used word(s) we have black listed, then the system automatically deletes such comments, it's to keep the place for all ages and all visitors.
We take freedom of expression serious and this is the reason we have comments.
I thank the people of Kulmiye for the welcoming of our future President. From now onwards, we need to build our society and party supporters from grass root, until election day.
We shall concur this country once again.
Your countryman