Bongani Ndlovu
Chronicle Correspondent
COAL remains an indispensable component of Africa’s energy future and a strategic mineral that will continue to drive Zimbabwe’s industrial growth and national development.
Hwange Colliery Company Holdings Limited chief executive officer, Engineer William Gambiza, said this at the recent Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe Annual Mining Conference and Exhibition 2026 held in Victoria Falls.
Speaking in his new capacity as chairman of the Coal Producers Association of Zimbabwe (CPAZ), Eng Gambiza also delivered the welcome remarks during the coal, oil and gas symposium.
Anchoring his message under the theme: “Unlock Value, Maximize Benefits, Sustain Growth,” he underscored the strategic importance of coal to Zimbabwe’s economic development, energy security and industrialisation.
“Coal is part of our future energy mix, and I can’t imagine talking of energy in the African context without talking about coal,” he said.
Eng Gambiza highlighted that Zimbabwe’s coal sector remains a critical enabler of reliable baseload power generation, metallurgical, cement and agricultural industries, export earnings and economic resilience, employment creation and local economic development
As chairman of CPAZ, he further outlined key priorities including cost-reflective pricing, improved payment systems, supply chain stability, export market development, infrastructure rehabilitation, and stronger industry representation.
