Zimbabwe Experiences Nationwide Blackout Disrupting Regional Power Links

Zimbabwe experienced a nationwide power outage on July 3, 2025, caused by a system disturbance that resulted in the loss of electricity generation at the country's two main power stations, Kariba and Hwange. The blackout also disrupted regional power imports from South Africa, Zambia, and Mozambique, further destabilizing the southern African grid. Despite restoration efforts underway and some areas regaining power, many parts of Zimbabwe, including the capital Harare, remained without electricity into the following day. The outage has been attributed to chronic issues such as aging infrastructure, low water levels at Kariba Dam, and obsolete equipment prone to frequent breakdowns. Critics have condemned the incident as an example of ongoing mismanagement and underinvestment in Zimbabwe’s power sector. ZESA Holdings has apologized for the disruption and assured the public that teams are working diligently to restore full service as quickly as possible.