Online Reporter
By Staff Reporter
MASVINGO—The Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, has challenged the private sector and development partners to pump capital into the province’s key economic sectors to build on an economy that has surged to a USD 5 billion Provincial Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Speaking as the guest of honour at the Zim Community Trailblazers Awards (ZCTA) 2026 on Friday night at the Urban Lifestyles Hotel, Chadzamira said that the province’s economy has grown fivefold under the Second Republic, climbing from USD 1 billion to its current USD 5 billion valuation.
The provincial government is now targeting an USD 8 billion economy under the upcoming National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) to anchor the country’s Vision 2030 targets.
“Masvingo is open for business,” Chadzamira told guests. “We have the land, the people, the universities, and the tourism attractions. What we need now is capital and partnerships to turn potential into projects.”
The Minister attributed the massive GDP expansion to large-scale infrastructure projects. Key drivers include the Harare-Beitbridge highway rehabilitation, the 5MW Great Zimbabwe Hydro-Electric plant, the construction of the Mucheke Chevron Bridge, and extensive urban road upgrades.
Chadzamira warned local authorities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and private entities against over-reliance on central government funding, urging instead the formation of public-private partnerships (PPPs) across all seven districts.
Outlining the Provincial Economic Development Plan 2, Chadzamira said that structural transformation and localized value addition remain top priorities.
On agriculture, the province has launched the new Sugar Strategy 2026–2035 to modernize a sugarcane sector that sustains over 13 000 jobs, while efforts are also underway to value-add traditional grains, a sector where Masvingo produces over 40% of Zimbabwe’s total yield.
In mining, the government is pushing for localised mineral beneficiation, highlighted by the establishment of Masvingo Lithium Technologies under Bikita Minerals. Parallel to industrial growth, social safeguards have been deployed, including drought-relief measures to counter El Niño, modern school laboratories, over 330 Village Business Units (VBUs), and targeted land allocations for youths, women, and war veterans.
The awards gala, jointly organised by the Zim Community Trailblazers Awards honoured several institutions driving the province’s developmental agenda.
Bikita Minerals was crowned the Top Corporate Frontrunner & Green Energy Transition Champion, while the Masvingo Municipality walked away with the Urban Infrastructure Modernisation & Smart City Visionary award. The Chiredzi Rural District Council (RDC) secured the Outstanding Devolution Project of the Year, and the Chivi RDC was named the Rural Industrialisation & Growth Point Champion.
In academia and governance, Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo, was recognised for pioneering Heritage-Based Education, while the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) Masvingo Regional Office was honoured for anchoring transparency.
ZCTA Board Member Dr Johannes Marisa said that the awards founded by Allbert Masaka were specifically designed to pivot the community’s focus away from systemic challenges toward grassroots solutions.
“Tonight we are celebrating what is working. We are honouring people who chose to build instead of complain,” Dr Marisa said, adding that the panel faced a rigorous task shortlisting the finalists from hundreds of public nominations.
