From the heart of Harare at ZESA Enterprises’ head office.

From ZESA Enterprises’ head office in Harare, Zimbabwe, Absolicon CEO Joakim Byström reflects on a partnership poised to transform the industrial landscape of an entire continent.

https://vimeo.com/1137976395

Zimbabwe will soon host Africa’s first fully automated Solar Thermal Energy factory, a groundbreaking facility poised to revolutionize the continent's renewable energy landscape. This state-of-the-art factory is specifically designed to manufacture high-efficiency solar collectors, essential components for harnessing solar energy to produce clean, sustainable industrial heat. By leveraging advanced technology and innovative manufacturing processes, the factory aims to deliver solar collectors that maximize energy capture and efficiency, making them suitable for a wide range of industrial applications.

The significance of this development cannot be overstated, particularly for key economic sectors such as beverages, mining, food processing, and textiles. These industries are traditionally known for their high energy consumption and substantial carbon footprints. The introduction of solar thermal energy technology provides a realistic and viable pathway toward deep decarbonization, helping these sectors reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/9b9de6_ddd16073aede46bebc2153a7f69b6401/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

The Security team at ZESA Enterprises was excited by the ZESA Absolicon Solar thermal project.

By transitioning to solar thermal systems, companies can not only reduce operational costs over time but also enhance their sustainability profiles, which are increasingly essential in today's environmentally conscious market. Moreover, the establishment of this factory in Zimbabwe is expected to stimulate local economies by creating jobs and fostering skills development in renewable energy technologies.

It will also catalyze further investments in clean energy infrastructure across the region, promoting energy independence and resilience.

The factory will likely become a hub of innovation, attracting researchers and engineers eager to explore new applications and improvements in solar thermal technology. In addition, the factory's operations will align with global efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable development goals.

ZESA Enterprises' production site in Harare, where the Absolicon production line will be built.

By producing high-efficiency solar collectors locally, Zimbabwe can reduce its reliance on imported energy solutions, thereby enhancing energy security and supporting the national agenda for sustainable economic growth.

This initiative not only highlights Zimbabwe's commitment to renewable energy but also positions the country as a leader in the African renewable energy sector, paving the way for similar projects across the continent. In conclusion, the launch of Africa's first fully automated Solar Thermal Energy factory in Zimbabwe represents a significant milestone in the transition to renewable energy.

It holds the potential to transform various industrial sectors by providing clean, cost-effective heat solutions while simultaneously contributing to environmental sustainability and economic development.

As the world increasingly shifts towards greener alternatives, this facility stands as a beacon of innovation and progress in the quest for a sustainable future.

In the interview, Joakim offers a critical insight: more than half of industrial energy consumption comes from heat — a segment that renewable solutions have long underserved. Absolicon’s solar thermal technology fills this gap, and the collaboration with ZESA offers the scale, legitimacy, and national alignment needed to accelerate deployment across Africa.

But this project is more than a factory. It is:

• A strategic industrial capability for Zimbabwe

• A platform to train and employ new generations of engineers and technicians

• A replicable model for African industrial decarbonization

• A foundation for climate-smart economic growth

  
  

With production planned for Harare, Zimbabwe positions itself as a continental leader in renewable industrial technology. What begins here can be replicated in dozens of countries seeking clean, local, and affordable energy solutions.

The site for the Absolicon Solar Thermal Heat production line at ZESA Enterprises in Harare, Zimbabwe

Interview by Lars Ling, CleanTech Region Group.© CleanTech Region Group & Absolicon Solar Collector AB

© 2025 Lars Ling / CleanTech Region Group. All rights reserved.