Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has called on investors from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region to seize the numerous investment opportunities in Zimbabwe. Speaking at an investment conference held alongside the 7th SADC Industrialisation Week in Harare, Chiwenga emphasized Zimbabwe’s potential as a prime investment destination.
“Let me assure you that Zimbabwe is a safe and attractive investment destination. The government, led by His Excellency, The President Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, is committed to creating a business-friendly environment and attracting global investments,” Chiwenga declared.
He highlighted the role of the Zimbabwe Development Investment Agency (ZIDA) and the One Stop Investment Services Center (OSISC) in streamlining investment processes and reducing registration timelines. Chiwenga also noted the harmonization of investment laws and the prioritization of commercially viable projects to spur economic development in the SADC region.
Infrastructure and Energy Sector Opportunities
Chiwenga underscored Zimbabwe’s ongoing infrastructure upgrades, the potential of its energy sector, and its rich mineral resources as key areas for investment. He invited investors to explore opportunities in solar power generation, clean coal and coal-to-liquid production, coal bed methane gas, gas-to-liquid production, and hydropower production, particularly along the Zambezi River and other mini hydro sites across the country.
“Zimbabwe is among the countries in the world endowed with 60 tradable minerals such as gold, platinum, diamonds, coal, and nickel, and 17 Rare Earth Elements (REE) that are critical in this technologically driven world,” Chiwenga noted. He pointed out that investment opportunities exist in greenfield exploration, value addition, and beneficiation, which can be pursued through joint ventures with various companies or by providing financial and technical support to small-scale miners.
Driving Regional Industrialization and Collaboration
The Vice President stressed that the primary objective of the Investment Conference was to expedite the implementation of the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap. However, the conference aims to identify industrialization projects for joint implementation by the public and private sectors in SADC member states.
“This Conference offers a platform for local, regional, and international investors to explore potential investment opportunities within the SADC region, network, establish collaborations, and showcase transformative investment projects,” Chiwenga added. Moreover, he urged investors to take advantage of this platform to forge new partnerships and contribute to the region’s economic growth.
The Zimbabwean government is focused on making the investment environment as conducive as possible. Initiatives such as the establishment of ZIDA and OSISC are part of broader efforts to attract and retain investment by simplifying the regulatory framework and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
Chiwenga’s call to action comes at a time when Zimbabwe is actively seeking to revitalize its economy through foreign investment and regional cooperation. The emphasis on diverse sectors, including energy and mining, reflects the country’s strategy to leverage its natural resources and infrastructure projects to drive sustainable development.
Source: New Zimbabwe
