Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
City of Bulawayo has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South African firm Afrigrow Agri Holdings, paving the way for discussions on ambitious agriculture and mining development projects that could further strengthen the city’s growing appeal as an investment destination.
The proposed partnership centres on two flagship initiatives — ZIM-GROW-AGRI and ZIM-GROW-GOLD — which are aimed at unlocking Bulawayo’s economic potential through agricultural industrialisation and the formalisation of artisanal mining activities.
According to the latest council monthly report, the local authority resolved to grant permission to engage in an MoU with Afrigrow Agri Holdings after receiving a proposal outlining the broad framework for collaboration.
“The company proposed the establishment of ZIM-GROW-AGRI, an agricultural industrialisation programme centered on the development of the City’s farms into modern agricultural and agro-processing hubs, and ZIM-GROW-GOLD, a programme aimed at modernizing and formalising artisanal and small-scale gold mining through skills development, beneficiation, market access and investment attraction,” reads the report.
The local authority said a draft Memorandum of Understanding had been submitted to guide cooperation between the two parties.
Under the proposed arrangement, ZIM-GROW-AGRI seeks to modernise agricultural production, strengthen value chains and expand agro-processing activities, while ZIM-GROW-GOLD is designed to promote the formalisation, professionalisation and beneficiation of artisanal and small-scale mining.
According to the council, the initiatives have the potential to stimulate investment, create employment opportunities and position Bulawayo as a regional centre for innovation and industrial development.
“The projects were intended to attract local, regional and international investment into Bulawayo and position the City as a center for economic development and innovation. The proposal further sought collaboration with the City in identifying suitable opportunities, mobilising strategic stakeholders and facilitating implementation of the identified projects,” the report reads in part.
The latest development adds to a growing pipeline of investment proposals being considered by the local authority, reflecting increasing foreign investor interest in Bulawayo’s strategic location, industrial heritage and economic revival agenda.
Council noted that the proposal broadly aligns with its objectives of promoting economic development, attracting investment, creating employment and enhancing value addition across key productive sectors.
However, the council also acknowledged that the proposal remains at a preliminary stage and requires further assessment before any binding commitments are made.
The report said the proposal did not yet provide sufficient detail on funding commitments and sources of finance, implementation timelines, business plans and feasibility studies, expected financial returns to the City, governance and risk management structures, legal compliance requirements, and the obligations and liabilities of each party.
“The City Economic Development Officer further noted that the draft MOU was non-specific on a number of critical issues and would require legal scrutiny before any commitments were made by Council,” the report said.
Council further emphasised that the proposed MoU does not impose any immediate financial obligations on the local authority.
“There were currently no direct financial commitments imposed on the City under the proposal. However, should Council wish to proceed, detailed financial, technical and legal due diligence would be required to establish the viability, affordability and sustainability of the proposed projects.”
Council subsequently resolved to grant authority to engage into an MoU with Afrigrow Agri Holdings as discussions on the proposed investment framework progress.
