marble nkomo
Zimpapers Writer
As Zimbabwe accelerates its march towards becoming an upper-middle-income society by 2030, private sector leaders have commended the Second Republic’s commitment to economic revival while calling for even deeper collaboration to sustain the momentum of industrial growth and investment attraction.
Speaking at the ongoing Zim CEO Policy Roundtable in Victoria Falls, CEO Africa Roundtable board chairperson Mr Oswell Binha acknowledged the foundation laid by the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa. He noted that achieving the ambitious goals of the National Development Strategy (NDS2) hinges on a continued spirit of structured dialogue, trust, and co-creation of policies between the public and private sectors.
President Mnangagwa is set to headline the 2026 CEO Africa Roundtable, which started yesterday in Victoria Falls, and his appearance on Friday is expected to represent the pinnacle of three days of intensive policy deliberations, where he is anticipated to showcase the administration’s track record in economic diplomacy and investor outreach.
Since assuming office, President Mnangagwa has made the revival of Zimbabwe’s industrial base a central pillar of his economic agenda. His Government has pursued a robust “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra, leading to a flurry of bilateral investment agreements and the implementation of reforms aimed at cutting red tape.
Key initiatives have included the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to lure capital-intensive projects, massive investments in power generation to stabilise energy supply for factories, and the rehabilitation of road and rail networks to ease the movement of goods. Furthermore, the Government has actively courted international partners, resulting in renewed commitments in sectors ranging from mining to agriculture, which are critical for feeding raw materials into local industries.
The high-level conference, running under the theme: “A Spirit of Dialogue: Partnering for Vision 2030”, has brought together business leaders, policymakers, financiers, and development partners. The gathering serves as a practical platform to deliberate on the next phase of Zimbabwe’s economic transformation, building on the policy foundation laid by the Second Republic to ensure that the gains of industrial growth translate into tangible benefits
Mr Binha described the roundtable as a strategic platform designed to bridge the gap between Government and industry, moving beyond what he termed the outdated us-versus-them narrative.
“This moment demands co-ordination, courage, and partnership. Our theme today, ‘A Spirit of Dialogue: Partnering for Vision 2030’, is not merely a slogan. It is a strategic necessity,” he said.
Mr Binha said for too long, the public and private sectors had often operated like ships passing in the night, occasionally signalling to each other but rarely docking for meaningful engagement.
He stressed that the policy-focused roundtable exists precisely to bridge that divide.
“We need structured dialogue, trust building, and cross-pollination of ideas. Public policy must benefit from the practical experience of industry, while private capital should be directed toward national development priorities,” he said.
Mr Binha highlighted that Zimbabwe’s economic transformation under NDS2 would require significant investment mobilisation, estimated at over US$40 billion in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, mining, and manufacturing sectors over the coming decade.
“Government alone cannot fund this journey. We therefore need bankable projects, mobilisation of pension and institutional capital, and risk-sharing mechanisms that ensure investors and entrepreneurs operate within a predictable policy environment,” he said.
Mr Binha said energy is one of the most critical constraints facing the economy, noting that Zimbabwe’s national electricity demand currently averages between 2,100 and 2,200 megawatts, yet domestic generation often ranges between 1,200 and 1,500 megawatts.
“For industry, this is not merely a technical issue. It is a competitiveness issue. Without reliable energy, factories cannot run optimally, investors hesitate, and productivity suffers,” he said.
“This is why the private sector must play a more prominent role in energy generation, renewable power projects, and independent power production.”
Mr Binha also addressed industrial capacity utilisation, which currently hovers between 52 and 56 percent, with manufacturing contributing approximately 14 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
“Under NDS2, the goal is to increase manufacturing value addition and move capacity utilisation toward the 75-80 percent range, which would dramatically expand exports, employment creation, and domestic value chains. This means factories that could produce more, jobs that could exist but do not, exports that could strengthen our currency, and value chains that remain underdeveloped,” he said.
Mr Binha urged delegates to move beyond rhetoric and focus on actionable outcomes, calling for the roundtable to produce not merely resolutions, but results.
“Let this gathering give birth to energy investment consortia, industrial partnerships, and policy innovations that unlock development financing. Vision 2030 will not be achieved by Government alone, nor by the private sector operating in isolation,” he said.
“It will be realised in the middle space where a CEO and a Permanent Secretary sit down and ask: ‘How do we make this project work?’” he said.
Mr Binha also acknowledged the ministers who honoured their commitments to attend, expressing optimism that their presence would lead to fruitful engagement.
“We must observe high levels of integrity, honesty, and trust. Doing business requires that we keep our word. I salute the few Cabinet ministers who will be joining us and trust that we shall have a fruitful engagement,” he said.
The Zim CEO Policy Roundtable continues today with sessions on energy, development financing, artificial intelligence, and human capital development, culminating in the presentation of a policy communiqué aligned to NDS2.
Online Reporter