Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has given the green light to Nigerian billionaire Mr Aliko Dangote’s official visit to Zimbabwe, marking a major step towards a potential US$1 billion investment deal in cement manufacturing, coal mining and power generation.
The high-level visit is facilitated by Bard Santner Markets Incorporated and Zimbabwean journalist-cum-business adviser Ms Josephine Mahachi.
The proposed investment deal aligns with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an empowered, modern, and prosperous upper-middle-income economy.
Ms Mahachi confirmed that the visit had received official approval from the President, paving the way for Mr Dangote and his team to meet with President Mnangagwa and senior Government officials to finalise the investment roadmap.
“As much as I had hoped to keep this confidential until the right moment, it has proven challenging given the stature of the individual involved. As you may recall, I played a key role in facilitating Mr Dangote’s visit in 2015, and I firmly believe that everything unfolds in God’s perfect timing.
“I am pleased to confirm that Mr Dangote will be returning to Zimbabwe in the near future to explore new investment opportunities. While the exact date is yet to be finalised, a formal mandate has already been signed.
“This time, I have partnered with Bard Santner Incorporated, a distinguished financial institution, to ensure a seamless and well-coordinated process.
“Furthermore, we are working on this initiative directly with His Excellency President Mnangagwa through his investment advisor, Dr Paul Tungwarara,” said Ms Mahachi.
Presidential Investment Advisor, Dr Paul Tungwarara said President Mnangagwa has approved the visit, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to attracting meaningful, high-impact investors.
“The richest man in Africa is coming to Zimbabwe at the invitation of President Mnangagwa. The two have been in constant communication and we are presently working on the logistical aspects of the visit. We are keen to ensure that he makes a significant investment in Zimbabwe and avoid what happened during his previous visit in 2015, when he came but did not return,” said Dr Tungwarara.
Sources revealed that the Dangote Group plans to establish a fully integrated cement factory, a limestone quarry and grinding plant, alongside a coal mine and power station — projects collectively estimated between US$800 million and US$1 billion.
Mr Dangote, who leads Dangote Industries Limited, a Lagos-based conglomerate with vast interests across cement, sugar, salt, fertiliser, real estate, oil and gas, and logistics, is Africa’s richest man and one of its most influential industrialists.
His group operates in 16 African countries and is behind one of the world’s largest oil refinery and petrochemical complexes in Nigeria.
Mr Dangote’s previous visits to Zimbabwe in 2015 and 2018 laid the groundwork for collaboration, but circumstances at the time prevented the projects from taking off.
With President Mnangagwa’s direct approval and support, expectations are high that this time, the landmark investment will come to fruition.
