Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]
THE Government has declared four Integrated Provincial Special Economic Zones (IPSEZs) in Matabeleland North and says the ongoing regulatory reforms are already driving foreign direct investment (FDI), which surged to US$964,9 million in 2025 from US$596,7 million in 2024.
Speaking at the Matabeleland North Investment Indaba in Umguza on Friday, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said Cabinet recently approved the IPSEZ framework to transform every province into a special engine of industrial growth.
Commenting on the tourism and tourism infrastructure IPSEZ– Masuwe, in Victoria Falls, the minister said: “This has already been declared in the Masuwe area of Victoria Falls. It already exists, and this will continue to be supported.”
The minister said the Lupane agro-processing IPSEZ was designated with the Bubi-Lupane Dam in mind, which will support wheat production and incentivise investments into agro-processing, including flour and bread manufacturing.
“So, I’m looking forward to buying my bread from Lupane as from next year, from this value chain on the back of the Bubi-Lupane Dam.”
On the coal-based IPSEZ in Hwange, Minister Ncube said: “As you know, in the Hwange area, we have plenty of coal, and we are focusing on coal-based beneficiation value chains in Hwange.
“It starts with simple coking coal, from raw coal, or coal to fertiliser and then coal to cement, from the dust that is produced from these processes. And also, conversion of this coal into energy production.”
Minister Ncube also spoke about the wood-based and wood-products IPSEZ, which seeks to leverage the vast timber resources in the province.
He said the framework recognises that sustainable economic transformation cannot be concentrated in only a few urban centres, adding that every province possesses unique comparative advantages capable of driving investment, industrialisation, and export growth.
Meanwhile, the minister said from September 2025 to March 2026 the Government undertook the most extensive review of licences, permits, fees and levies across 13 priority sectors of the economy, including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, transport, financial services, construction, telecommunications, health and energy.
“These reforms are simplifying business procedures, reducing regulatory costs, eliminating duplication, and improving the predictability of Zimbabwe’s regulatory environment,” he said.
“Going forward, emphasis will be placed on ensuring that our ministries, departments and agencies fully align their statutory instruments and administrative procedures with the approved reforms to guarantee effective implementation.”
The reforms are translating into results, with the minister saying that during 2025, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency licensed 871 investment projects compared to 709 projects in 2024.
More importantly, he said actual foreign direct investment inflows increased from US$596,7 million in 2024 to US$964,9 million in 2025, representing one of the strongest performances in recent years.
Investment was concentrated in productive sectors like energy, accounting for 44 percent, mining 18 percent and manufacturing 14 percent of approved investments, reflecting the Government’s strategic emphasis on energy, security, mineral development, and industrial diversification.
