Econet InfraCo is implementing a phased deployment of a 100 MW solar power portfolio at its Tech City in a strategic push for green industrialisation.
The company is converting its 800-hectare site near Harare’s international airport into a specialised industrial park called Econet Tech City.
Anchored by a 100MW solar plant and a major data centre, the development represents a strategic shift toward energy-independent digital infrastructure.
Econet founder and group chairman Strive Masiyiwa, whose company recently listed Econet InfraCo on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, said architects and engineers are already developing plans for the site. The first phase of construction is set to begin shortly, with solar panels currently en route from China.
“From Econet’s perspective, we can complete the site within two years, but government incentives for businesses are crucial,” Masiyiwa said regarding project timelines.
“Zimbabwe is competing with cities like Lagos, Cape Town, Nairobi and Kigali. I have laid out the vision and discussed it with Zimbabwean leaders. If they and the people support it, this could be a great partnership. I envision similar projects across Africa, as I am a Pan-Africanist, but I always start in my country,” he added.
Econet, which already has a 5MW Data Centre in Willowvale, Harare, is planning to build a 10MW facility in Tech City. The industrial hub is the first major project that Econet InfraCo is undertaking.
The 100MW solar plant will serve as the primary energy anchor, powering the industrial park’s high-tech tenants and the data centre.
The project is a direct response to regional power instability, ensuring that the group’s large-scale operations remain carbon-neutral and maintain continuous, uninterrupted uptime.
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