Authors
Innocent Chirisa, Vice Chancellor Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University; Fungai N Mukora, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Engineering Informatics and Communications at the University of Zimbabwe; Teurai Matekenya, Chairperson ICT University of Zimbabwe; Hilton Chingosho; Innocent Chirisa, Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University: Bindura, Mashonaland Central,; Rumbidzai Mpahlo , lecturer at Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University; Aurthur Chivambe; Tawanda Zinyama , University of Zimbabwe; Prolific Mataruse, Lecture of University of Zimbabwe; Patience Mazanhi ; Roselin Katsande-Ncube; Tinashe Magande, University of Zimbabwe: Harare, ; Fungai N Mukora, Fungai Nora Mukora is a PhD in Engineering Candidate, a holder of a MSc in Computer Science (UZ). Currently, she is the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Engineering Informatics and Communications at the University of Zimbabwe; Teurai Matekenya, University of Zimbabwe: Harare, ZW; Tafadzwa Mutambisi, Urban Planning and Management from Great Zimbabwe; Nyasha Ndemomasimbarasi; Nyasha N‘Onzwe , Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University: Bindura, Mashonaland Central; Plaxedes, R Mhlanga, University of Zimbabwe at department of Computer Science.; Tawanda Zinyama, Dean of Students at the University of Zimbabwe. ; Hilton Chingosho; Halleluah Chirisa , Research and Innovation Director, Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, Bindura, Zimbabwe.; Never Mujere, University of Zimbabwe: Harare; Dickson D Mhanga, Regional and Urban Planning from Great Zimbabwe University
Keywords:
Finance, management, research, collective responsibility, policy
Synopsis
Through this chapter we contend that sustainable energy development in Zimbabwe is contingent upon a systemic integration of technological innovation, socio-economic behaviour, policy incentives, and strategic governance, highlighting that a low-carbon transition is both feasible and necessary for resilient economic and societal outcomes. This chapter examines the energy sector within the context of a dynamic and changing environment, utilising a case study methodology grounded in thematic content and textual analysis. The findings reveal that the adoption of renewable energy is increasingly viable, driven by declining technological costs, rising fossil fuel prices, and sustained state subsidies. Yet, persistent funding limitations remain a critical impediment, particularly for developing countries, constraining the pace and scale of energy transformation. Beyond financial and technological considerations, the study highlights the centrality of human and societal factors in shaping sustainable energy outcomes. Household behaviour, the gender of household heads, and levels of educational attainment emerge as key determinants of livelihoods, while the creation of jobs through renewable energy initiatives provides tangible benefits to communities. These findings underscore that energy development is as much a social and behavioural challenge as it is a technological and economic one. In response, the Zimbabwean government has actively pursued strategies to foster a low-carbon economy, integrating economic, societal, and environmental objectives into policy and practice. This chapter recommends a systems-based approach to energy development, combining coordinated economic growth, societal development, environmental stewardship, robust
Author Biographies
Innocent Chirisa, Vice Chancellor Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University
Inocent Chirisa is a Full Professor of Urban and Regional Planning. His research has focused on resilience, environmental systems dynamics with a proclivity to land-use, housing, ecology, public health, water and energy. He holds a DPhil in Social Sciences, MSc and BSc in Urban and Regional Planning (University of Zimbabwe) and a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning (University of the Free State, South Africa). Past Dean of Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences and past chairman of the Department of Rural and Urban Planning (now Department of Architecture and Real Estate) at the University of Zimbabwe. He also served as the Deputy Dean of the former Faculty of Social Studies at the University of Zimbabwe. Currently, a Research Fellow of the University of the Free State (SA) and Vice Chancellor at Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University. He has expertise in urban and regional planning, sustainable development, resource management, local development, built environment and transport and mobility. This is testified by his various publications accessible through this following links: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Innocent_Chirisa; https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Innocent+Chirisa&btnG and linkedin.com/in/innocent-chirisa-89a1854.
Fungai N Mukora, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Engineering Informatics and Communications at the University of Zimbabwe
PhD in Engineering Candidate, a holder of a MSc in Computer Science (UZ). Currently, she is the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Engineering Informatics and Communications at the University of Zimbabwe
Teurai Matekenya, Chairperson ICT University of Zimbabwe
Teurai Matekenya is a PhD holder in ICT focusing on Knowledge Management (CPUT, SA), Masters in Information Technology (UP, SA), Masters in Business Administration (UZ, Zim), BSc Computer Science and Statistics, (UZ). Currently she is the Chief of Industry Creation with the Centre for Education Innovation Research and Development in Zimbabwe
Hilton Chingosho
Hilton Chingosho is an Energy and Power Systems Engineer with over a decade of experience driving renewable energy, energy efficiency, and policy reforms across Africa. He has partnered with leading global organizations, shaped Zimbabwe‘s energy policies, led transformative projects, published extensively, and combines technical excellence with strategic leadership to deliver sustainable, high-impact energy solutions.
Innocent Chirisa, Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University: Bindura, Mashonaland Central,
Inocent Chirisa is a Full Professor of Urban and Regional Planning. His research has focused on resilience, environmental systems dynamics with a proclivity to land-use, housing, ecology, public health, water and energy. He holds a DPhil in Social Sciences, MSc and BSc in Urban and Regional Planning (University of Zimbabwe) and a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning (University of the Free State, South Africa). Past Dean of Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences and past chairman of the Department of Rural and Urban Planning (now Department of Architecture and Real Estate) at the University of Zimbabwe. He also served as the Deputy Dean of the former Faculty of Social Studies at the University of Zimbabwe. Currently, a Research Fellow of the University of the Free State (SA) and Vice Chancellor at Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University. He has expertise in urban and regional planning, sustainable development, resource management, local development, built environment and transport and mobility. This is testified by his various publications accessible through this following links: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Innocent_Chirisa; https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Innocent+Chirisa&btnG and linkedin.com/in/innocent-chirisa-89a1854
Rumbidzai Mpahlo , lecturer at Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University
Rumbidzai Mpahlo holds an Advanced Masters in Development Evaluation and Management (UoA, Belgium), MSc in Rural and Urban Planning and BSc Honours in Rural and Urban Planning (UZ). She is a lecturer at Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University
Tawanda Zinyama , University of Zimbabwe
Tawanda Zinyama is the Dean of Students at the University of Zimbabwe. Tawanda Zinyama obtained a PhD in Social Studies (Public Administration and Policy) from University of Zimbabwe (UZ). He holds BSc (hons) Administration, Bachelor of Substantive Law Degree, Bachelor of Procedural Law Degree and Master of Public Administration all from the UZ. He has been the Chairperson of Department of Governance and Public Management. He conducts research and publishes widely in the areas of performance management, public sector reforms, public policy; devolution and decentralisation and local governance.
Prolific Mataruse, Lecture of University of Zimbabwe
Prolific S. Mataruse is a holder of a PhD in Political and International
Studies from Rhodes University, MSc in International Relations and BSc
Honours in Political Science (UZ). He is a former lecturer at Wigwe
University in Port Harcourt Nigeria and the University of Zimbabwe he
ix
is currently a political and international relations consultant at RAI
Axion Pvt Ltd.
Tinashe Magande, University of Zimbabwe: Harare,
Tinashe Magande holds a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He holds an MSc in Economics and a BSc Honours in Economics from the University of Zimbabwe. He is a part-time lecturer at the University of Johannesburg with research interests in sustainable development, infrastructure, and urban governance
Fungai N Mukora, Fungai Nora Mukora is a PhD in Engineering Candidate, a holder of a MSc in Computer Science (UZ). Currently, she is the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Engineering Informatics and Communications at the University of Zimbabwe
Fungai Nora Mukora is a PhD in Engineering Candidate, a holder of a MSc in Computer Science (UZ). Currently, she is the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Engineering Informatics and Communications at the University of Zimbabwe.
Teurai Matekenya, University of Zimbabwe: Harare, ZW
Teurai Matekenya is a PhD holder in ICT focusing on Knowledge Management (CPUT, SA), Masters in Information Technology (UP, SA), Masters in Business Administration (UZ, Zim), BSc Computer Science and Statistics, (UZ). Currently she is the Chief of Industry Creation with the Centre for Education Innovation Research and Development in Zimbabwe
Tafadzwa Mutambisi, Urban Planning and Management from Great Zimbabwe
Tafadzwa Mutambisi is a doctoral researcher in urban and regional planning at the University of the Free State, South Africa, with research interests in urban governance, economic restructuring, resilience, spatial planning and sustainable urban development. Her doctoral research focuses on economic restructuring and governance dynamics in Zimbabwe’s mining-dependent towns, with particular attention to path dependency and institutional change. She holds an MSc in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Zimbabwe, where her research examined urban resilience in mining-impacted communities in Zvishavane, and a BSc in Urban Planning and Management from Great Zimbabwe University. Her broader research interests include urban resilience, climate change adaptation, spatial justice, sustainable infrastructure, and the transformation of secondary cities.
Nyasha N‘Onzwe , Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University: Bindura, Mashonaland Central
Nyasha N’onzwe is a qualified social worker with eight years of practical social work experience in different non-governmental organisations in Zimbabwe and Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from the University of Zimbabwe which she attained in 2018, and a Master of Social Work Degree attained in 2020 from the same institution. She is former Head of Social Work Department, Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, former lecturer University of Zimbabwe and former lecturer Women‘s University in Africa. Her expertise covers disability issues, social policy formulation and implementation, child welfare and protection and social protection of vulnerable groups of society. She is a member of the Council of Social Workers Zimbabwe and the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Plaxedes, R Mhlanga, University of Zimbabwe at department of Computer Science.
Plaxedes R. Mhlanga is a holder of Masters in Information Systems and Technologies Specializing in Development of Corporate Information Systems (University of ITMO, Russia) and Information Systems (MSU). Currently, a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe at department of Computer Science. Her research interests are Artificial Intelligence, ICT for Development and Cybersecurity.
Tawanda Zinyama, Dean of Students at the University of Zimbabwe.
Tawanda Zinyama is the Dean of Students at the University of Zimbabwe. Tawanda Zinyama obtained a PhD in Social Studies (Public Administration and Policy) from University of Zimbabwe (UZ). He holds BSc (hons) Administration, Bachelor of Substantive Law Degree, Bachelor of Procedural Law Degree and Master of Public Administration all from the UZ. He has been the Chairperson of Department of Governance and Public Management. He conducts research and publishes widely in the areas of performance management, public sector reforms, public policy; devolution and decentralisation and local governance
Hilton Chingosho
Hilton Chingosho is an Energy and Power Systems Engineer with over a decade of experience driving renewable energy, energy efficiency, and policy reforms across Africa. He has partnered with leading global organizations, shaped Zimbabwe‘s energy policies, led transformative projects, published extensively, and combines technical excellence with strategic leadership to deliver sustainable, high-impact energy solutions
Halleluah Chirisa , Research and Innovation Director, Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
Halleluah Chirisa Holds a PhD Geography (University of the Free State, South Africa) an MSc Population Studies (University of Zimbabwe) and a BScED Mathematics and Geography (Bindura University of Science Education). She is the Research and Innovation Director, Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, Bindura, Zimbabwe
Never Mujere, University of Zimbabwe: Harare
Never Mujere is a lecturer in the Dept of Geography Geospatial Sciences and Earth Observation at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). He holds an MPhil in Geography (UZ), BSc Special Honours in Geography (UZ), BSc in Geography and Geology (UZ) and a Grad CE (UZ). His research interests are in Hydrology, Water Resources Management and Environmental Issues.
Dickson D Mhanga, Regional and Urban Planning from Great Zimbabwe University
Dickson David Mhlanga is a Town Planning Technician at the University of Zimbabwe. He holds MSc and BSc qualifications in Regional and Urban Planning from Great Zimbabwe University, and a Diploma from Harare Polytechnic. His research focuses on spatial economics, GIS analysis, and technological disruption of city form in developing countries.
