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ZESA calculator with the
real stepped tariffs
See exactly how many units your money buys — band by band, including the 6% REA levy and your 400 kWh monthly quota. Updated whenever ZERA changes the rates.
You get
157.2 kWh
for ZWG 500.00 (≈ US$17.67)
| Band | Units | ZWG/unit | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 50 units | 50.0 | 2.2661 | ZWG 113.30 |
| 51 – 100 units | 50.0 | 2.5494 | ZWG 127.47 |
| 101 – 200 units | 57.2 | 4.5322 | ZWG 259.23 |
Quota tip
You have used 0 of 400 kWh (0%) of this month's discounted quota. Buying your remaining 400 discounted units before the quota resets on the 1st costs ZWG 2,053.67 (≈ US$72.57). Anything above 400 kWh in the same month is charged at the top rate.
Prices include the 6% REA levy. Based on ZERA-approved ZETDC tariffs (billed in ZWG). USD figures use ≈28.3 ZWG/US$ and are estimates — your bank or wallet rate may differ slightly.
Current ZESA tariffs
All six bands at ZERA-approved rates, effective 2026-07-28. Understand the quota before you buy.
See the tariffs →
Token didn't arrive?
The complete guide to retrieving a lost ZESA token — EcoCash, banks, the ZETDC portal and WhatsApp lines.
Retrieve your token →
Buy tokens online
Verify any ZETDC meter, then pay with EcoCash in USD or ZWG — token on screen and by SMS, no account needed.
Buy now →
Common amounts, worked out
Today's answer for the amounts people actually buy — recalculated every time ZERA changes the rates.
- ZWG 10044.1 kWh
- ZWG 20084.0 kWh
- ZWG 500157.2 kWh
- ZWG 1,000247.0 kWh
- ZWG 2,000392.4 kWh
- US$225.0 kWh
- US$561.1 kWh
- US$10109.3 kWh
- US$20171.8 kWh
ZESA prices move with the ZWG — the entry band has shifted +1.2% across 29 schedules since 2026-05-26. See the full tariff history — free as JSON and CSV.
Buy ZESA tokens on VoltZW — opening soon
Meter verification is already live — you can check the registered name on any ZETDC prepaid meter right now. Payments are in the final stage with our partners: join the launch list and we'll text you the day tokens go on sale, in USD or ZWG, with the token on screen and by SMS.
Check your meter & join the list →ZESA calculator — frequently asked questions
How many units do I get for my money?
It depends on how much you have already bought this month. ZESA uses a stepped tariff: the first 50 units each month are cheapest, and each band after that costs more. Our calculator applies the exact ZERA-approved band prices, including the 6% REA levy, and accounts for units you have already purchased.
Is ZESA cheaper at the beginning of the month?
Not exactly — prices don't change with the date. What resets on the 1st is your 400 kWh discounted monthly quota. If you already used your cheap bands this month, new purchases fall into expensive bands. Buying early in the month simply means you are starting from the cheapest band again.
What is the 400 kWh monthly quota?
Every prepaid meter gets 400 kWh per calendar month at discounted stepped rates — ZWG 2,053.67 (about US$72.57) buys the full quota at current rates. Every unit above 400 kWh in the same month is charged at the top rate. The quota resets on the 1st of each month.
How do I check my ZESA balance online?
Your remaining units live on the meter itself — press 07 on most prepaid meters to display the balance. To see your purchase history and past tokens, use the ZETDC self-service portal, or the channel you bought from (EcoCash, your bank, or an online vendor).
Can I buy ZESA tokens on VoltZW?
Yes — buy tokens right here with EcoCash and other Paynow methods, in USD or ZWG. Verify your meter, pay, and your 20-digit token appears on screen and is sent by SMS. Your purchase history stays attached to your meter number, so a lost SMS never means a lost token.