Turning Blackouts Into Opportunities (Elevation News)
In Zimbabwe, load-shedding has become an unavoidable part of daily life. Across cities and rural areas alike, unscheduled power cuts often halt progress, disrupt businesses, and delay essential events. From construction projects and emergency roadworks to funerals and community gatherings, the lack of electricity frequently leaves people in darkness, both literally and economically.
But for Blessmore Zivira, what others saw as a problem became an opportunity. Recognising how deeply power shortages affected productivity and livelihoods, he decided to act. His solution was both practical and visionary: provide reliable, mobile lighting to those who need it most. This idea led to the creation of Speedy Power Hire Limited. This lighting solutions company is helping to keep Zimbabwe’s economy and communities running, even when the grid goes down.
Established in 2019 and headquartered in Easlea, Harare, Speedy Power Hire was built around a simple but powerful idea, that darkness should never stop work, delay a project, or disrupt an event. The company rents out mobile generator lighting towers designed to illuminate large areas for construction sites, mining operations, emergency repairs, funerals, festivals, and conferences.
Speaking to Elevation News from the United Kingdom, Blessmore explained that the business has grown steadily and organically. “When we launched, we were mainly targeting the construction and mining industries,” he said. “But before long, people from all walks of life started calling, families hosting funerals in rural areas, organisers of night-time events, even community leaders arranging public gatherings where there was no electricity. The feedback was amazing. People were so grateful to have dependable lighting when they needed it most.”
Each lighting unit combines a powerful diesel generator, a telescopic mast, and high-intensity LED lamps capable of illuminating vast areas. The towers are mounted on trailers for mobility and can be deployed quickly to any location, no grid connection required.
“The units are designed to be self-sufficient,” Blessmore explained. “Once installed, they can run for hours, providing light and power in even the most remote places. They’re ideal for contractors, emergency services, and event organisers who can’t afford to stop because of load-shedding.”
The company also operates a fleet of vehicles to deliver and install the lighting towers. As the business grows, Speedy Power Hire is expanding its fleet and equipment range to reach more parts of the country, with plans to establish depots across Zimbabwe’s provinces in the future.
Blessmore attributes the company’s rapid growth to its customer-first philosophy. Every project, he says, begins with understanding the client’s needs. “Zimbabweans have been incredibly supportive,” he said. “Their trust keeps us going. We’ve had great reviews from customers who value our reliability and the quality of our service. We don’t just rent equipment, we provide solutions.”
He added that Speedy Power Hire’s strength lies in its flexibility. “Whether it’s a mining operation working overnight, a concert, or a funeral in a remote village, we make sure people have the light they need to continue their activities safely and efficiently.”
Looking to the future, Blessmore plans to grow Speedy Power Hire beyond Harare, offering services in other regions of Zimbabwe and potentially across southern Africa. He believes the company’s model can contribute to broader economic resilience by helping industries maintain productivity during power outages.
“Load-shedding shouldn’t mean shutting down operations,” he said. “With the right tools, people can keep moving forward. Our mission is to make sure power cuts don’t stop progress.”
As Zimbabwe continues to face electricity shortages, Speedy Power Hire has become a symbol of innovation and resilience, proving that when others see darkness, visionaries like Blessmore Zivira see light.
