Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
MANICALAND Province is eyeing a five percent economic growth surge that will push its economy beyond US$5 billion by 2026, powered by high impact projects in agriculture, mining, energy, manufacturing, value addition and beneficiation.
The ambitious strategy, crafted by the Provincial Development Committee (PDC), also seeks to transform Mutare into a modern logistics hub by boosting trade along the Beira Corridor, leveraging the city’s proximity to Forbes Border Post and Mozambique in line with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of an upper middle class economy.
Key projects include refurbishment of the Dorowa Minerals Phosphate Plant, training and funding for SMEs, and expansion of the diamond recovery plant at Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) in Chiadzwa.
Plans also cover resuscitation of the PB Flow Sort formerly operated by Mbada Diamonds, revival of Redwing Mine, and installation of gravity separators at Shava Mine in Buhera to improve micron product recovery by 15 percent.
The province is also set to benefit from new industrial investments: a US$5 million pine resin plant, a US$2 million noodles plant and trailer assembly plant by Mega Market in Mutare, a US$10 million pulp plant and US$2,6 million water bottling plant by Wattle Company, plus an US$800,000 meat processing factory, commercial mall and tourism facilities at Headlands.
Director for Economic Development in the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Munyaradzi Rubaya, confirmed the plan, saying it leverages the province’s comparative advantages to attract strategic investments and unlock new opportunities.
“The economic trajectory depends on widening value addition in agro-processing and mineral beneficiation. We are looking at the expansion of GreenFuel and Mega Market’s diversification into noodle production and trailer-building plant in Mutare. We are also improving infrastructure and the provision of utilities and services to create a conducive environment for our industry to thrive. This will include investment in hydro and solar energy, as well as enhancing trade along the Beira Corridor through development of the Christmas Pass Bypass Road, modernisation of Forbes Border Post and construction of the new Public Service Commission Dry Port. The dry port in Mutare will streamline cargo handling, cut congestion at the Beira Port, reduce transit times and logistics costs, and boost efficiency. It will strengthen the Beira Corridor by providing customs clearance, warehousing and intermodal connectivity, encouraging regional trade and investment, while transforming Mutare into a logistics hub,” said Mr Rubaya.
The energy sector is poised for transformative growth, driven by a landmark US$600 million investment pledged by South African-based Ilinge Energy Automation (Pvt) Ltd to establish a 400-megawatt power plant on a 750-hectare farm in Chimanimani, leveraging its expertise from similar projects in the neighbouring country and Europe.
Another investor, VS Hydro, has tabled a bid to set up mini-hydro power stations totalling 37 megawatts along Gairezi, Nyangombe, Pungwe and Odzani rivers and at Osborne, further diversifying the province’s energy mix.
Manicaland currently produces about 46 megawatts from independent power producers, falling short of its daily demand of 120 megawatts.
With these new projects, the province’s ambition to achieve energy self-sufficiency and exports is within reach.
Mr Rubaya said the province’s energy demand is projected to rise to 200 megawatts over the next three years, driven by growth in manufacturing, mining, agriculture, tourism and the residential sector.
He said the proposed 437MW projects will alleviate the power crisis, meet rising demand and transform the province into a net energy exporter, ultimately boosting the provincial gross domestic product (GDP).
VS Hydro also plans to establish 37MW of mini-hydro capacity: Gairezi (30MW); Eastern Hydro (1MW) in Chimanimani; Odzani (1MW); and Osborne (5MW) in Mutasa.
Construction of the one-megawatt hydroelectric plant feeding into the national grid at Odzani is estimated to cost US$3,1 million, and feasibility studies were undertaken by Worley Parsons RSA (Pty) Ltd.
Establishment of mini-hydro stations at Gairezi (18MW) and Nyangombe (5MW) is expected to cost US$5 million.
“Our desire is to be self-sufficient in energy generation and export excess energy to other provinces. We have a comparative advantage, particularly in hydro energy, thanks to our perennial rivers with fast-flowing water through gorges and rapids. By utilising this comparative advantage, we should be able to generate sufficient energy for our province. However, considering the rapid industrialisation and new industries setting up in the province, we project that our energy consumption will rise to 200MW within the next two to three years. Therefore, it is crucial that we enhance our energy generation capacity to sustain agriculture, industry, mining, and domestic consumption.
“With people building new houses and new settlements coming up, and our accelerated rural electrification programme in line with Vision 2030, we must increase our energy generation capacity as a province. We face a significant challenge, and must aggressively pursue solar energy production. Securing the proposed 437MW deals will, not only solve our energy challenges, but also exceed our needs, enabling us to export energy to other provinces. This will position us as a net energy exporter, driving provincial GDP growth and positively impacting employment, access to electricity, industry, and irrigation support systems,” he said.
Mr Rubaya added that the province plans to grow its horticulture sector, increasing coffee production by 1 000 hectares each year, while a sugar processing plant has been earmarked for Chipinge by Middle Sabi Sugar Mill.
On the social side, he said the province aims to reduce drug and substance abuse by establishing a rehabilitation centre in each district, with two already under construction in Mutare.
Mr Rubaya also emphasised the importance of spearheading the provision of essential utilities in all settlements, ensuring that
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US$5b vision for Manicaland
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residents have reliable water, electricity and sanitation services – an approach that supports sustainable community development, improves public health, attracts investment and enhances living standards, thereby fostering growth and resilience across urban and rural areas in the province.
Under WASH, works include construction of reservoir tanks and water reticulation systems, sinking solar-powered high-yield boreholes, and building new sewer systems across urban areas.
“All satellite schools in the province must be registered so that they become examination centres and take responsibility for their own educational outcomes. We do not want a situation where learners from these schools continue to endure the extra cost of enrolling for examinations at other schools, and are further burdened by transport costs. We are also going to implement the community health strategy, whereby every clinic must be surrounded by 10 health centres. Every village must have a primary health centre, as well as improved provision of basic and vital medicines across all health institutions,” said Mr Rubaya.
He said the Christmas Pass Bypass Road targets 15km and progress to date includes 17,15km of bush clearing, 8km of roadbed, 22 culvert crossings and 3,42km of subgrade, with works ongoing.
The Murambinda–Mudanda Road targets 11,5km in 2026, and progress stands at 100 percent subgrade, five kilometres base two, 4,4km base one, 3,5km asphalt overlay, 3,5km priming completed, six culvert crossings installed, 100 percent shoulder construction and bridge works.
The Chipinge–Chiriga–Mt Selinda Road is targeted at 10km this year, with detour and bush clearing completed, 17 culverts installed, 9,5km subgrade and 4,8km base two completed.
The Nyanga–Ruwangwe Road targets 5km this year, with surfacing underway. The Odzi–Marange Road targets 5km, with 2,5km subgrade, 5km detour, 2,7km base one, 1km priming and culvert clearing completed. The Headlands–Mayo Road targets 10km, with detour construction completed, seven culvert crossings and 3km subgrade preparation.
These roads fall under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
To boost agricultural productivity, the Government, through the Department of Irrigation, will embark on construction of smallholder irrigation schemes at Kwarire Block (Buhera), Lee Farm (Mutare), Mabiya (Mutare), Ruti (Buhera), Mupudzi (Mutare), Osborne (Mutare), Laverstock (Mutasa), Mudzindiko (Mutasa), Laverstock (FR-East) (Mutasa) and Mutema (Chipinge).
The target for these irrigation schemes is 10 percent completion in 2026.
