Colletta Dube
Sikhulekelani Moyo [email protected]
A two-day Matabeleland North Investment Indaba has kicked off in Umguza with a focus on turning investor interest into bankable projects across mining, tourism, agriculture, energy and manufacturing.
Deputy director for local economic analysis in the office of the Minister of State for Mat’North, Mr Stanley Muchipisi, said the event brings together investors, business leaders, Government officials, development partners and entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities in Matabeleland North.
He urged delegates to look forward to investment presentations, business-to-business networking, panel discussions, exhibitions, and engagements focused on unlocking partnerships that can stimulate economic growth, create jobs and promote value addition.
“The event is also expected to showcase bankable projects across key sectors of the provincial economy,” said Mr Muchipisi.
He noted that the previous Investment Indaba helped position the province as an investment destination, with more than US$125 million worth of new investments recorded during the first quarter of 2026.
“It increased awareness of the province’s investment potential, facilitated business networking, and opened discussions that have continued beyond the event,” he said.
“The platform also strengthened partnerships between Government and the private sector, with several investment leads progressing into feasibility assessments and investment negotiations.
“Investment forums such as these are recognised for helping connect Governments, investors and businesses, ultimately translating interest into investment projects.”
This year Mr Muchipisi said the province is targeting increased domestic and foreign direct investment that supports sustainable economic development.
Priority objectives include: attracting capital into strategic sectors, creating employment opportunities, promoting value addition and beneficiation of local resources, developing infrastructure and industrial projects, supporting SMEs and local participation in investment value chains and building long-term partnerships that contribute to inclusive economic growth.
Expected participants include Government ministers and provincial leadership, local authorities, local and international investors, financial institutions, development finance organisations, business executives, and representatives from mining, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and energy.
SMEs, entrepreneurs, and development partners are also expected.
“Such investment forums typically attract a broad mix of public and private sector stakeholders to facilitate partnerships and investment deals,” he noted.
Matabeleland North is pitching opportunities across several sectors that is mining gold, coal, lithium, methane gas, copper and other mineral resources, as well as mineral beneficiation.
Other opportunities lie in tourism, expansion of infrastructure around Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and cultural tourism destinations, agriculture that is livestock production, irrigation development, horticulture, crop processing and agro-processing and energy on renewable energy projects, including solar, hydro and coal-bed methane gas development.
On manufacturing, Mr Muchipisi said investors have opportunities in food processing, timber processing, leather products and value addition industries and on infrastructure that include roads, logistics, industrial parks, housing and ICT infrastructure.
The forestry and wildlife sector also presents opportunities on sustainable forestry, game ranching and conservation-based enterprises.
Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Professor Mthuli Ncube is set to headline the event, running under the theme: “Unlocking Opportunities, Driving Growth, Bulding Prosperity”.
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi