Mash Central courts diaspora, seeks investments in value addition

Daniel Chigunwe
Herald Correspondent

Mashonaland Central, which is famed for its vast rich mineral deposits and agriculture prowess, is embarking on a robust

search for investors willing to contribute towards value addition and beneficiation in a move that will boost economic growth.

With agriculture and mining contributing 33 and 19 percent to the provincial Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the province has

also noted great potential in tourism, energy and real estate.

In an interview with The Herald after the recent UK-Zimbabwe Business Expo 2024 in Birmingham, United Kingdom, the

Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Retired Captain Christopher Magomo said the

province is ready to engage diaspora investors to boost business growth.

The expo, which was attended by five Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, was organised by the

Zimbabweans in Diaspora Organisation (ZIDO) and Vaka Ekhaya which aims to foster substantial investment opportunities

and wealth creation in response to President Mnangagwa’s call for diaspora involvement in the nation’s economic

development.

“We had an opportunity to showcase our province and the numerous areas that the diaspora community can tap into as we

embrace the President’s mantra of nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.

“As a province that is doing well in agriculture and mining, we are eyeing investments that target value addition and

beneficiation so that we boost our provincial GDP,” said Minister Magomo.

“The province’s mineral resource base has more than 27 minerals, among them gold, nickel, chrome, platinum group of metals,

lithium, pegmatite, tungsten and rare earth elements, among others. We are also the only province with oil and gas.

“All these existing mines are a clear indication that the province is endowed with mineral resources that are yet to be

exploited.”

Areas of interest in the mining sector include the opening of new mines, resuscitation of old mines (Mazowe Gold Mine),

expansion of existing mines (Shamva Gold Mine), joint ventures and public private partnerships, mineral beneficiation (gold,

dolomite, manganese, limestone, lithium, chrome and granite), as well as oil and gas downstream industries.

Minister Magomo also said there are opportunities in aquaculture value chains as well as crop and livestock production.

“As a province, our targets in agriculture include increased crop production through irrigation development, mechanisation,

dam construction, the establishment of grain dryers, greenhouses and warehouses, the establishment of millers and even

cigarettes manufacturing given that we are one of the top tobacco producing provinces,” he said.

“The province has a total of 534 478 cattle, 68 931sheep, 316 556 goats and 51 086 pigs, therefore it has the potential for leather

value chain, processing and canning of beef.

“We have aquaculture value chain opportunities in water bodies like Zambezi River in Mbire, Arcadia Dam, Masembura Dam,

Lilistock Dam, and Lion’s Den Dam, among others that offer fish and crocodile farming business opportunities.”

He said they are also promoting Kanyemba as a prime tourist destination.

ZIDO chairperson Mr Blessed Kapesa said the expo facilitated a dynamic platform for participants to exchange ideas, network,

and forge strategic partnerships.

He also hailed the presence of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA).

“The inaugural UK/Zimbabwe Business Expo was an overwhelming success, far surpassing our expectations. This historic

event was marked by the presence of five distinguished ministers, each representing a different province in Zimbabwe.

“Their participation was invaluable as they took the opportunity to showcase the unique investment opportunities available in

their respective regions, emphasising the country’s potential for economic growth and development,” he said.