As part of its landmark celebrations marking 10 years of academic excellence, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) successfully hosted a high-level public lecture at Fernhill Campus in Mutare.

Held under the theme, “Powering 2030: Unpacking Zimbabwe’s Energy Compact for a Sustainable, Investable, and Universal Future,” the event brought together leading academics, students, and key industry experts from the regulatory board, the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), and the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).

In his welcome remarks, MSUAS Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Upenyu Guyo, represented by the Executive Dean of Students, Dr Isheunesu Amon Chaka reaffirmed the University’s commitment to serve as an active catalyst for national development, through leadership, and collaborative problem-solving strategies.

“As a University of Applied Sciences, we believe that higher education institutions must serve as catalysts for sustainable development and thought leadership. Public lectures such as this one create important platforms for dialogue, policy engagement, knowledge exchange, and collaborative problem-solving,” said Prof Guyo. “Energy remains one of the most critical pillars for economic growth, industrial productivity, digital transformation, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and social development. Zimbabwe’s aspirations towards Vision 2030 cannot be realised without sustainable and inclusive energy systems that attract investment and expand access to all communities.”

Presenting during the lecture, ZERA Technical Services Director, Engineer. Man’arai Ndovorwi represented by Manicaland Regional Operations Manager Engineer Keith Chikomo unpacked Zimbabwe’s energy regulation framework and the importance of building a sustainable, investable, and universally accessible energy sector.

The presentation highlighted on Zimbabwe’s National Energy Compact, describing it as a bold, transformative commitment to achieving nationwide access to reliable, affordable, clean, and sustainable energy by 2030, in close alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (UN SDG 7) and Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda.

“Since our main mandate is to regulate the entire energy sector, ZERA is actively structuring frameworks aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (UN SDG 7) and Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2). The newly introduced National Energy Compact represents a bold roadmap to transition the country into a prosperous, empowered, upper-middle-income society. Hence, ZERA challenges academic institutions, particularly MSUAS, to step into the front lines of this energy revolution,” said Eng. Ndovorwi.

Attendees and university leadership lauded the lecture as an inspiring, invaluable experience that successfully connected students and staff with real-world national industrialisation and development imperatives.
The strategic partnership between MSUAS and ZERA serves as a clear reflection of a mutual dedication to sustainable national development.

Through institutionalized knowledge-sharing and collaborative research, this alliance is designed to build critical capacity—empowering a new generation of technological leaders with the expertise required to drive Zimbabwe’s transition toward a sustainable, secure, and universal energy future by 2030.