This archive report was first published on 9 October 2019.
On October 9, 2019, Zimbabwe's power regulator made a drastic decision to increase the average electricity price by 320%.
The move was aimed at enabling the electricity company to ramp up production and improve supplies, which had been severely impacted by daily power cuts.
According to the government, the power shortages, combined with a devastating drought, have affected mines, factories, and households, with some areas experiencing up to 18 hours of power outages per day.
The increase in electricity prices has added to the woes of Zimbabweans, who are already struggling with sharp increases in the prices of fuel and basic goods.
The country is grappling with its worst economic crisis since the 2017 coup that unseated President Robert Mugabe.
