Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
THE Second Republic’s pro-development policies have unlocked the potential of Mberengwa District, attracting over US$2,5 million in private investment thereby transforming the local economy.
The influx of capital has given rise to new infrastructure, including a shopping mall, fuel station, conference centre and lodge, injecting much-needed stimulus into the area.
Domestic investors, buoyed by the Government’s business-friendly approach, have driven this growth, creating a ripple effect that is expected to boost economic activity and improve living standards.
The developments align with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, which aims to propel the country towards an upper-middle-income status.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen Ncube, has said the investment trajectory in Mberengwa District reflects the broader development momentum being driven by National Development Strategy (NDS2), with infrastructure-led growth positioned as a catalyst for economic transformation.
“The US$2,5 million investment by local businesspeople demonstrates the role of private capital in harnessing the enabling investment environment created under the Second Republic,” he said.
Minister Ncube highlighted that the Government remains committed to working with local investors to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030, with infrastructure development forming a central pillar of that ambition.
“To further attract private investment, the local authority, Mberengwa Rural District Council is implementing measures to improve the ease of doing business, including reducing operating costs and streamlining processes to create a conducive investment climate which is very commendable,” he said.
Local stakeholders are optimistic about the opportunities unfolding in Mberengwa, citing improved access to services and increased economic opportunities.
Mberengwa RDC chief executive officer, Mr Thompson Maeresera, said the district has witnessed a lot of property development in the past five years.
“The investment being witnessed in Mberengwa is a welcome development for us because it is bringing jobs and services to our community. With the private sector leading the charge, Mberengwa is poised to become a key player in the province’s economic resurgence under the Second Republic in line with Vision 2030,” he said.
Mberengwa Central legislator and businessperson Tinashe Shumba, who is also investing in the district, said the investment was motivated by the need to bring quality services closer to communities where people have been travelling distances to access services.
He said the new facilities are already easing long-standing service delivery gaps, particularly for the mining community, which has historically relied on neighbouring Zvishavane for basic and emergency services.
“The developments reflect the Government’s philosophy: ‘‘Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/ Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo’’ and complement the National Development Strategy Two (NDS2), which prioritises decentralised growth and value creation at community level,” he said.
