Business Reporter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HARARE \u2013 Amidst rampant daily power cuts and a national push towards solar energy, Zimbabwe is witnessing a perplexing construction boom of new fuel service stations, raising serious questions about urban planning, environmental safety, and the country’s commitment to a renewable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along major urban corridors like Harare\u2019s Samora Machel Avenue, gleaming new fuel stations stand mere metres apart, a sight replicated in cities like Bulawayo, Gweru, and Kadoma. This rapid expansion, licensed by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), presents a stark contrast to households and businesses scrambling to adopt solar power to escape relentless blackouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The development has sparked concerns from residents, analysts, and environmentalists who question the logic of deepening fossil fuel dependency as the world pivots to renewables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Questions of Planning and Ownership<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A senior Harare City Council planner, who spoke to Zim GBC News on condition of anonymity, revealed that the approval process is often compromised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are under immense pressure to approve these projects, some pushed by politically connected individuals,\u201d the source said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn some cases, we are simply handed a directive and told to sign.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Investigations suggest ownership of many new stations is murky, linked to companies with interests in fuel importation and mining. Analysts posit that the cash-rich, opaque fuel retail sector is an attractive channel for money laundering and foreign currency arbitrage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Environmental and Health Risks Ignored<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The siting of these stations has alarmed communities nationwide. Many have been built directly opposite schools or nestled within residential suburbs, flouting environmental guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPutting petrol tanks next to homes is reckless. One accident could wipe out a neighbourhood,\u201d said Charles Moyo, a concerned Harare resident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Environmentalists warn of long-term groundwater contamination from leaking underground tanks and increased air pollution from congested traffic. An environmentalist with a local authority cautioned,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFuel leaks are silent killers. Once groundwater is contaminated, it is almost impossible to reverse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response, Amukela Sidange, Environmental Education and Publicity Manager for the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), outlined the required safeguards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Environmental Management Agency ensures that any development project\u2026 adheres to relevant environmental legislation and standards to minimise its ecological footprint,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She detailed that all service stations must undergo a comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and adhere to strict construction standards, including double-walled tanks and leak detection systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Contradiction in Climate Policy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This fossil fuel infrastructure boom occurs alongside government incentives for renewable energy, including duty rebates on solar equipment and reduced import tariffs for electric vehicles (EVs). ZERA itself has promoted electric mobility, commissioning the first EV charging station in Gweru last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This contradiction highlights a major policy conflict. Natural resource governance expert Tapuwa O\u2019bren Nhachi stated,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is definitely a contradiction here\u2026 It’s like trying to quit smoking while opening cigarette shops.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cZimbabwe committed to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but flooding the market with new petrol stations creates infrastructure that will be used for decades. It’s counterproductive to our climate goals,\u201d Nhachi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ZERA\u2019s Stance<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ZERA Chief Executive Officer, Edington Mazambani, defended the regulatory framework, stating it is aligned with the country\u2019s renewable energy roadmap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cService stations are encouraged to embrace renewable energies and energy efficiency,\u201d Mazambani said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, he confirmed that ZERA has no plans to mandate renewable energy features, such as solar rooftops or EV charging points, as a requirement for new service station licenses. ZERA licensed 996 fuel stations in 2024, with the 2025 licensing process still ongoing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For now, the pumps keep multiplying, leaving a critical question unanswered: in a world shifting away from fossil fuels, will Zimbabwe\u2019s fuel station boom prove to be a smart investment\u2014or a stranded asset in the making?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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