Development of industry in Zimbabwe has been widely acknowledged as one of the leading sources of current environmental and energy efficiency challenges affecting the country. Several challenges exist that affect widespread adoption of energy efficient technologies including implementation of policy framework for energy efficiency, ageing equipment, inadequate funding mechanisms, limited information, few economic incentives for SMEs to invest in energy efficiency, low technical capability of SMEs to implement energy efficiency, limited institutional sustainability of agencies involved in promotion of energy efficiency, and low uptake of energy management standards.
This study focuses on the challenges and opportunities for resource efficiency and presents strategies for improvement. The study shows that in order to enhance green industry and increase adoption in SMEs, there is need to strengthen institutions involved in resource efficiency, improve funding mechanisms, strengthen industrial clusters, promote energy service companies (ESCOs) and energy efficiency networking forums, create funding schemes for SMEs, provide training and capacity building, increase demonstration projects, strengthen the role of independent energy service providers, and improve national collaboration of stakeholders. In conclusion, Zimbabwe has greater potential to contribute towards a green economy through implementing energy efficiency in SMEs.