Online Reporter
Judith Phiri [email protected]
The Government has commended progress at Beitbridge’s Xintai Palm River Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project, where a new cement plant is being constructed and is set to be finished next month.
The Palm River Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone, located approximately 20 kilometres west of Beitbridge town in Matabeleland South Province, marks a significant step in Zimbabwe’s industrial and energy development.
Licensed in February 2024 and launched on February 24, 2025, by President Mnangagwa, the ambitious project is driven by Shanxi Xin Gang Nian Metallurgical Group from China.
The investment represents a vital collaboration between Zimbabwe and China, aligning with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategies 1 and 2 and Vision 2030.
About US$57,7 million in verified investment has been recorded as of March 2025 for the project. According to the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), the initial phase of the project is targeting US$209 million in investment.
Following a recent visit, Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu, commended the investment as a major boost to Zimbabwe’s industrialisation drive.
“I must say we are very excited about the progress that we are seeing taking place deep in the Beitbridge rural. This Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is one of the largest we have in the country,” he said.
“Again, a clear demonstration that President Mnangagwa has created a conducive environment for investment. They are not only into mining coal and doing coke, but they have also diversified.
They are generating 100 megawatts of power.
“They are into ferrochrome production, but what is more interesting is that they have already begun setting up a cement plant, whose construction is set to be completed next month and cement production is expected to start before December,”
Minister Ndlovu said the investors have also begun setting up a chemical plant to produce fertiliser and production was expected to start mid next year.
Xintai Palm River project chief executive officer, Mr Yangten Zhao said the company was committed to developing the industrial park in line with the long-term investment plans.
“We divided it into five phases spread over 12 years, and the total investment here is US$3,6 billion of which over US$300 million has already been spent on phase One.
Minister of State for Matabeleland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Albert Nguluvhe commended President Mnangagwa for championing rural industrialisation.
Represented by a director in his office, Mr Maxwell Muvondori, he said: “I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to President Mnangagwa for providing inspiring leadership in the rural industrialisation agenda and many other fields as he accentuates important concepts such as that of leaving no place and no one behind.”
With investment spanning energy, mining, metals, cement and chemicals, the development is expected to strengthen value addition and local production while positioning Beitbridge as an emerging industrial hub.
The project’s progress also provides a significant boost to Zimbabwe’s efforts to attract large-scale investment and accelerate industrialisation under Vision 2030.
