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Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
BULAWAYO and two other Matabeleland provinces recorded significant investment inflows in the fourth quarter of 2025, underscoring growing investor confidence in the regions as the Government intensifies the decentralisation of economic activities and industrialisation across the country.
Latest investment licensing statistics for the period under review show that Bulawayo attracted US$53 million in approved investments from four licensed projects.
According to the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida), although modest in terms of project numbers, the growth in investment value points to capital intensive ventures largely anchored in manufacturing, property development and services, reinforcing the city’s re emergence as a key industrial hub.
In Matabeleland North Province, approved investment projects during the fourth quarter amounted to US$55,35 million, with eight licences issued.
The province continues to leverage its strategic advantages — including mining potential, tourism assets and proximity to regional markets — as it positions itself for sustained growth under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the transition towards NDS2.
Matabeleland South recorded US$17,98 million in licensed investments across nine projects.
While the overall investment value remains relatively lower compared to other provinces, the number of projects reflects broad based interest, particularly in mining, agriculture and infrastructure related initiatives expected to stimulate downstream economic activity and employment creation.
Analysts say the investment trends in the regions point to improving investor sentiment, driven by ongoing infrastructure upgrades, policy reforms and targeted incentives aimed at promoting balanced regional development.
Across the rest of the country, investment activity during the fourth quarter of 2025 remained robust, with Harare maintaining its dominance as the primary investment destination.
The capital accounted for US$439,90 million in licensed investments from 103 projects, reflecting its status as Zimbabwe’s commercial and financial nerve centre.
“Harare Province accounted for 43,83 percent of all licences issued during the quarter, reflecting the province’s mature investment ecosystem, with manufacturing, construction, real estate, and service sector activities being the attraction for most investors.
“In terms of projected investment value, Harare Province had the highest projected investment of US$439 million, representing 37,27 percent of the total. Midlands province followed with US$262 million, representing 22,21 percent,” reads part of the report.
The Midlands Province emerged as another strong performer, attracting US$262,18 million from 40 licensed projects, buoyed by mining, energy and manufacturing investments that continue to anchor its industrial base.
In Mashonaland West, licensed investments reached US$125,68 million from 27 projects, while Mashonaland Central recorded US$122,25 million across 17 licences, underpinned largely by mining and agro -based ventures.
Manicaland Province attracted US$51,56 million in investments from 11 projects, spread across mining, tourism and manufacturing, while Mashonaland East secured US$43,71 million from 13 licensed projects, reflecting growing activity in real estate, manufacturing and agriculture.
At the lower end, Masvingo Province recorded US$8,53 million in investments from three licensed projects, mainly in agriculture and small scale mining.
Overall, the fourth quarter 2025 investment licensing figures spotlight the Government’s ongoing efforts to broaden the investment base beyond traditional centres, with the Matabeleland region steadily asserting its place in Zimbabwe’s evolving economic landscape as the country marches towards an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
The report notes that in 2025, a total of 10 670 jobs were insured with the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) across ten sectors.
“The sectoral distribution of the jobs is highly uneven, with Mining and Manufacturing alone accounting for over 70 percent of all jobs (4 434 and 3 078 jobs respectively).
“Construction, Agriculture, and Financial Services form a mid tier group, contributing around 19 percent of all jobs. The remaining sectors, including energy, services, transport, tourism and hospitality, health, and ICT, collectively contribute about 11 percent. The heavy concentration of jobs in the mining and manufacturing sectors indicates that these two sectors are the most economically active.”
Zida’s report added that this pattern, however, also highlights potential vulnerability to sector specific shocks, as downturns in either industry could have a disproportionate impact on overall employment outcomes.
“This underscores the need to scale up investment facilitation efforts in mid tier and lower tier sectors to diversify employment sources and enhance the resilience of job creation in the future.”
Online Reporter