Effective 2026-07-28 · verified 2026-07-28
Current ZESA tariffs
ZERA-approved ZETDC prepaid tariffs — every band, with and without the 6% Rural Electrification (REA) levy.
| Consumption band (monthly) | Base ZWG/unit | Incl. 6% REA | ≈ USD/unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 50 units | 2.1378 | 2.2661 | $0.08 |
| 51 – 100 units | 2.4051 | 2.5494 | $0.09 |
| 101 – 200 units | 4.2757 | 4.5322 | $0.16 |
| 201 – 300 units | 6.1463 | 6.5151 | $0.23 |
| 301 – 400 units | 6.6808 | 7.0816 | $0.25 |
| Above 400 units | 6.9480 | 7.3649 | $0.26 |
Source: ZERA-approved ZETDC schedule via Zimpricecheck & Magetsi. USD estimates only — you pay in ZWG unless using a USD channel. We verify this table against published rates and update it whenever tariffs change.
How the stepped tariff works
ZESA does not charge a flat rate. Each calendar month, your meter starts at the cheapest band: the first 50 units cost ZWG 2.27 each. The next 50 cost a little more, and so on — six bands in total. The more you buy in a month, the more each extra unit costs.
Your discounted quota is 400 kWh per month. Buying the full quota costs about ZWG 2,053.67 (≈ US$72.57). Every unit beyond 400 kWh in the same month is charged at the top rate of ZWG 7.36 — more than three times the entry band.
The quota resets on the 1st of every month.That is why people say electricity is “cheaper at the beginning of the month” — prices never change with the date, but your cheap bands are available again.
Your location makes no difference: high-density, medium-density or low-density, the tariff is the same. Only your monthly consumption — and whether it is your first purchase of the month — affects the price.
What it costs, cumulatively
| Buying up to… | Total ZWG | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|
| 50 units | 113.30 | $4.00 |
| 100 units | 240.77 | $8.51 |
| 200 units | 693.99 | $24.52 |
| 300 units | 1,345.50 | $47.54 |
| 400 units | 2,053.67 | $72.57 |
Money-saving rule of thumb
If your household uses more than 400 kWh a month, split large purchases across the month boundary: top up to your quota before the 1st, then buy the rest after the reset. Use the calculatorwith “units already bought” to see your exact price before you pay.
For developers
These tariffs are a free JSON API — we track ZERA rate changes daily and keep it current: zesa.tapiwa.me/api/v1/tariffs.json. The full 29-schedule series since 2026-05-26 is available as JSON or CSV, free with attribution.
Ready to top up?
Buy ZESA tokens with EcoCash in USD or ZWG — token on screen and by SMS.