Old Mutual seeks policy fixes for energy deals

Energy shortages keep dragging the grid down, and investors are basically saying fix the rules first before they wire serious cash into Zimbabwe’s power game.

Capital is waiting for clearer rules

• Old Mutual Zimbabwe group chief executive Sam Matsekete said money exists for IPPs.
• Investors want steady policies and solid offtake deals before committing.
• Victoria Falls hosted the SADC Energy Week, where he laid this out.
• Financiers argue that bankable structures matter more than raw liquidity.

Bankability over buzzwords

• Old Mutual Zimbabwe group chief executive Sam Matsekete flagged weak project design as a blocker.
• Structural gaps and shallow long-term savings pools are slowing scale.
• Demand for energy funding outstrips available patient capital.
• Risk allocation and regulatory predictability are the real sticking points.

Institutional money wants returns

• Old Mutual Zimbabwe group chief executive Sam Matsekete reminded pension funds answer to beneficiaries.
• Fiduciary duties force insurers to scrutinize risk profiles hard.
• Energy infrastructure can attract institutions when returns stack up.
• Social impact alone does not clear commercial hurdles.

What makes projects investable

• Old Mutual Zimbabwe group chief executive Sam Matsekete stressed predictable revenue streams.
• Enforceable power purchase agreements are non-negotiable for financiers.
• Credible counterparties and steady policy signals drive confidence.
• Without de-risking tools, private-sector cash stays sidelined.

Zambia green bond example

• Old Mutual Zimbabwe group chief executive Sam Matsekete cited Copperbelt Energy Corporation in Zambia.
• The firm aimed for US$150 million and surpassed that goal.
• Pension funds piled in, drawn by a clear structure.
• Government-backed safeguards and defined mining offtake sealed investor trust.

Access versus investor returns

• Old Mutual Zimbabwe group chief executive Sam Matsekete highlighted tension between affordability and profit.
• Policymakers want universal access while capital chases viable returns.
• Overemphasis on cheap tariffs can stall generation growth.
• He pushed for direct deals where commercial buyers can pay market rates.