Gaborone, Botswana – From Monday, February 24 to Friday, February 28, 2025, the Gaborone International Convention Centre will host the SADC Sustainable Energy Week. Organized by the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) and Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals and Energy, the event aims to tackle the urgent energy challenges faced by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

The week-long event will feature various activities promoting collaboration and innovation in the energy sector. Key sessions will address topics such as innovative financing for sustainable energy projects, advancements in electricity markets and grid integration, and fostering a supportive environment for sustainable energy development in the SADC region. The event will also host the 6th International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition (IOREC) and the 8th Southern African Renewable Heating and Cooling Training & Demonstration Initiative (SOLTRAIN+) Conference.

High-level officials, including the President of Botswana, His Excellency Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, and the SADC Executive Secretary, Elias M. Magosi, will deliver opening remarks. Other prominent attendees and speakers will include Austria Ambassador South Africa Romana Königsbrun, Honourable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo,an economist and Bostwana Minister of Minerals and Energy, and from Zimbabwe,Honourable July G. Moyo, Minister of Energy and Power Development.

Discussions during the event will focus on driving policy synergies for a sustainable energy transition in the SADC region, current regional sustainable energy interventions, and priority projects. Participants will engage in high-level policy deliberations, detailed presentations, breakout sessions, and site visits to facilitate knowledge sharing and promote best practices.

The impact of the SADC Sustainable Energy Week is expected to be significant. By bringing together key stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, energy experts, and academics, the event aims to develop sustainable energy solutions that can ensure energy security and foster economic growth in the region. The outcomes of the discussions and collaborations during the week will contribute to advancing the sustainable energy agenda and addressing the energy challenges faced by the SADC region.

As the SADC region continues to strive for energy security and sustainable development, the SADC Sustainable Energy Week in Botswana promises to be a pivotal event in shaping the future of energy in Southern Africa.