Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
INVESTORS have expressed confidence in Mashonaland West as an emerging investment destination, citing opportunities in mining, agriculture, housing, manufacturing and renewable energy.
The optimism was expressed on the sidelines of the fourth edition of the Mashonaland West Provincial Investment Conference held at Pamuzinda Safari Lodge in Selous, Chegutu, where investors and Government officials explored ways of unlocking the province’s economic potential.
Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) investment promotion manager Mr Tapindwa Chipunza said the province had recorded a steady increase in licensed investments, reflecting growing confidence in its investment environment.
Mr Chipunza said the number of licensed investors had risen from 14 in the first quarter to 24 in the second quarter, with the figure increasing further as the year progressed.
“The investment environment is positive, supported by Government policies and greater economic stability.
“We are encouraged by the increasing number of investments being recorded across Mashonaland West,” he said.
“Our role is to continue facilitating investors, addressing bottlenecks and ensuring that the province remains an attractive destination for both domestic and foreign investment.”
Among the investors seeking to expand their operations in the province is Great Dyke Smart City, which is developing a 6 000-unit housing project between Chegutu and Kadoma.
The company’s managing director, Dr Samuel Mudavanhu, said the investment conference had provided an important platform for engaging potential investors and stakeholders while showcasing opportunities in the province.
“What we have learnt from this Indaba is that Mashonaland West is open for business. The province offers many opportunities in mining, real estate and manufacturing and we are gaining a lot from this experience,” he said.
Dr Mudavanhu said the company was looking at replicating its smart-city model in other parts of Mashonaland West.
He said the Great Dyke Smart City project would also help meet growing demand for accommodation as economic activity and tertiary education expand in Kadoma and surrounding areas.
“We are going to embrace this and ensure Mashonaland West becomes Mashonaland Best,” he said.
Renewable energy is another area attracting investor interest, with Green Grid director Mr David Fussell, saying the company was preparing the first phase of a floating solar project in Kariba expected to generate about 150 megawatts.
“We are excited to participate in this platform because it brings together stakeholders from across the province to discuss concrete investment opportunities,” he said.
“We are setting up the first phase of our floating solar project in Kariba, which is expected to contribute about 150 megawatts of electricity. We are, therefore, here to express our interest in renewable energy and explore opportunities for further investment in the province.”
Provincial authorities said the focus was now on ensuring that investment translated into value addition, employment and broader economic development rather than the continued export of raw materials.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary Mr Josphat Jaji said the province needed more investment in processing and beneficiation, particularly in agriculture and mining.
“We need to promote value addition, particularly in agriculture. Mashonaland West has some of the highest numbers of grain storage facilities, but we are still not doing enough processing and value addition,” he said.
He said the province also wanted investment in tourism, particularly the development of Kariba, while mining investors were being encouraged to process minerals locally.
“We also need investment in tourism, particularly in developing Kariba so that it can match the standards of destinations such as Victoria Falls. In mining, we must ensure that our minerals are processed locally. These are some of the key priority investment areas for the province,” he said.
Mr Jaji said Government would also engage investors on the need to protect infrastructure and the environment while undertaking their projects.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland West Honourable Marian Chombo said the conference was an opportunity to assess progress made since the previous investment indaba and address barriers that continued to constrain investment.
She said Government had put in place policies to support investment, with ZIDA playing a key role in facilitating investors.
“We want to review the investment opportunities that we presented during the previous conference, assess what has been achieved, learn from the challenges and mistakes that hindered the ease of doing business, and find ways of creating a more investor-friendly operating environment,” she said.
The conference, running under the theme “Rethinking and Reshaping the Investment Status Quo,” brought together investors, business leaders, local authorities, traditional leaders and Government ministries and departments.
Mining, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure development, clean energy, water reticulation and housing were identified among the key areas requiring fresh investment as Mashonaland West seeks to contribute towards Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 target of an upper-middle-income economy.
Hippo Creek Mine manager responsible for investments Mr Lucky Mupoperi said investors should also play a role in retaining skilled human capital by creating employment opportunities for graduates produced by local tertiary institutions.
He said this was critical as Zimbabwe pursued Education 5.0, which places emphasis on producing graduates equipped to contribute to industrialisation, innovation and national development.
The province is now seeking to convert the investment opportunities showcased at the indaba into actual projects, jobs and increased economic activity.
