In an efforts to further consolidate its role in accelerating market development for sustainable energy in the region, the Southern African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), in partnership with the Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the government of Botswana, and development partners such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Austrian Institute of Technology (AEE INTEC), and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), successfully organized the inaugural SADC Sustainable Energy Week (SEW 2024). The event took place from February 24 to 28, 2025, in Gaborone, Botswana.
This first-of-its-kind regional event, held under the theme “Accelerating Sustainable Energy Solutions for an Energy-Secure SADC Region”, brought together over 700 delegates from more than 150 countries. Over the five-day conference, participants engaged in 29 sessions that included panel discussions, technical presentations, and networking opportunities. The discussions covered key thematic areas such as energy access, renewable energy, and energy efficiency, aligning with SADC’s regional energy strategies and global sustainability goals.
Presidential Commitment to Renewable Energy
During his keynote address at the opening ceremony at the Gaborone International Conference Center, the President of Botswana, H.E. Duma Gideon Boko, emphasized the urgent need for stronger partnerships among SADC nations, increased private sector involvement, and the development of actionable policies to unlock the region’s vast renewable energy potential. In support of the regional decarbonization agenda, he pledged that Botswana would increase its electricity generation from renewable sources by 8,000 MW over the next four years, with a strong focus on solar energy. Other keynote speakers in the opening session of the event include Honorable Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, the Minister of Minerals and Energy of Botswana, H.E Elias M. Magosi, SADC, the Executive Secretary, Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director General of IRENA and Ms. Romana Königsbrun, Austrian Ambassador for the SADC region and Mr. Ciyong Zou, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director of UNIDO who delivered opening remarks by video.
The conference featured several key events including the 6th International Off-grid Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition (IOREC), organized by IRENA, the 8th SOLTRAIN Regional Conference organized by the SOLTRAIN and the UNIDO’s sessions on Strengthening Regional Cooperation for a Just Energy Transition. The session highlighted both regional and intra-regional cooperation as a key component to bring about harmonized approaches to the energy transition. As part of the conference, UNIDO co-organized the “Just Energy Transition Dialogues with the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centers”, which brought together representatives from eight regional sustainable energy centres in Africa, Asia-Pacific Latin America and the Caribbean. The dialogues addressed key issues such as the role of regional power markets in boosting industry and energy security, strategies to expand clean cooking access across borders, the integration of renewable energy in climate resilience and disaster response, and the potential of sustainable energy to drive industrial growth and job creation. Delegates agreed on the need to increase investment in robust grid infrastructure to facilitate reliable cross-border power trade and transmission through existing power pools. Lessons from the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) highlighted the urgency of incentivizing investments in auxiliary clean energy solutions such as battery storage to counteract the intermittency associated with the increasing share of renewable energy. The dialogues concluded with a “Call to Action for the Regional Just Energy Transitions”, presented by the regional centers.
Advancing Clean Cooking Solutions in the Region
In line with efforts to address energy access challenges, participants committed to a regional approach to clean cooking solutions. Delegates called for setting clear, measurable clean cooking targets aligned with national commitments. There was also a strong recommendation for the harmonization of standards for clean cooking technologies and fuels, boosting market awareness, and removing barriers to cross-border trade to maximize regional market opportunities. These recommendations align with UNIDO's Large-Scale Market Delivery Model, which focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of clean energy value chains.
Financing Off-Grid Energy Access
Discussions on off-grid electricity access emphasized the need for governments and development partners to complement existing financing mechanisms, such as results-based financing (RBF) and subsidy programs, with guarantee facilities to attract private sector investment. Carbon finance was widely recognized as a key mechanism for scaling the deployment of distributed renewable energy (DRE) solutions, particularly in off-grid markets. As a case study, the I-Track Foundation showcased how its innovative carbon financing model accelerates clean energy access through DRE solutions.
Technical Tour: Showcasing Clean Energy Innovation
To conclude the week, delegates participated in a technical tour, gaining hands-on experience with solar thermal technologies at leading research and application sites. Visits included the SOLTRAIN Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC) and the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), where participants observed cutting-edge advancements in clean energy research and implementation.
The success of the SADC Sustainable Energy Week 2024 marks a significant milestone in the region’s pursuit of a sustainable, inclusive, and secure energy future. The commitments made during the conference set a strong foundation for continued collaboration, investment, and policy action to accelerate the energy transition across Southern Africa.
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