Zimbabwe: Government Institutions Owe ZESA U.S.$188 Million As Power Utility Battles Financial Strain
Zimbabwe's state-owned power utility, ZESA, is facing severe financial strain due to $188 million in unpaid electricity bills from government institutions. Lawmakers are criticizing the government for failing to pay its debts while simultaneously demanding financial viability from the utility.
Why it matters
The debt crisis highlights systemic governance and fiscal management issues that threaten the energy security and infrastructure maintenance of the nation.
Government ministries, local authorities and parastatals owed the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) about US$188 million as of February 2026, placing further financial strain on the power utility.
The debt was raised in the Senate during debate on the country's energy security report, with Senator Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa questioning how ZESA could be expected to achieve financial stability when Government institutions themselves remain among its major debtors.
"The report also reveals another troubling fact. Government ministries, local authorities and parastatals reportedly owed approximately US$188 million as of February 2026," Mlotshwa said.
She said Government could not demand financial viability from ZESA while failing to ensure that public institutions settled their electricity bills.
"Government cannot demand that ZESA becomes financially viable while Government institutions themselves are among the major debtors," she said.
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