Online Reporter
Freedom Mupanedemo, Midlands Bureau
KWEKWE District has attracted more than US$25 million in fresh investments during the first half of 2026, with projects in mining, manufacturing, agriculture, education, retail and agro-processing strengthening investor confidence and accelerating the district’s industrial transformation under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
This was announced by Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube while officially opening the 2026 Kwekwe District Agricultural Show and NDS2 Expo at the Kwekwe Mining Museum on Thursday.
Running under the theme, “Driving Agricultural and Industrial Transformation for Inclusive and Sustainable Local Economic Development towards Vision 2030,” the expo showcases investment opportunities while promoting industrial linkages, business networking and partnerships that support local economic development.
Minister Ncube said the investments reflected growing confidence in the Second Republic’s economic reforms, particularly measures aimed at improving the ease of doing business and creating an enabling environment for private sector-led growth.
“I commend the Second Republic for opening up the economy, adopting ease of doing business reforms and pursuing private sector-led innovation, modernisation and industrialisation,” he said.
Among the flagship investments is the US$13 million disbursed by the Mutapa Investment Fund to Sable Chemicals as part of a US$153 million sovereign programme to revive Zimbabwe’s fertiliser industry, strengthen local production and enhance national food security.
Other major projects include the US$6 million Global union Alloy ferrochrome smelting plant, the US$2 million Wealth Maiic Investments cement manufacturing project, the US$2,5 million Eagles College development, the US$1,8 million Greens Mall, and the US$1,3 million Wamambo Abattoir.
Minister Ncube said the projects would stimulate industrial growth, increase value addition and beneficiation, generate foreign currency earnings, facilitate technology transfer and create employment opportunities for local communities.
“The expo’s theme resonates with President Mnangagwa’s inclusive development agenda anchored on rural industrialisation and the National Development Strategy 2 pillars on Agriculture, Food, Climate and Environment as well as Regional Development and Inclusivity through Devolution and Decentralisation,” he said.
The minister commended Kwekwe City Council for organising the annual expo and challenged local authorities to complement private sector investment by improving service delivery and creating an enabling business environment.
He said priority should be given to upgrading water reticulation systems, rehabilitating roads, improving refuse collection, strengthening environmental management and expediting development plan approvals in line with President Mnangagwa’s Call to Action and the “No Compromise to Service Delivery” blueprint.
Minister Ncube also welcomed Cabinet’s recent approval of the Municipal Police Courts Bill, saying the proposed legislation, which grants local authorities powers to establish municipal courts and enforce by-laws more effectively, would support local governance and improve service delivery.
“Attainment of Vision 2030 under the leadership of His Excellency, President Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, is unstoppable,” said Minister Ncube.
Touching on the political environment, Minister Ncube urged citizens to remain focused on development, saying the country’s constitutional processes had been concluded following the enactment of Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 of 2026.
He applauded exhibitors, farmers, miners, Government ministries, departments and agencies, local authorities, development partners and the private sector for contributing to the socio-economic transformation of Kwekwe District, the Midlands Province and the nation.
