Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
MANICALAND attracted investments worth US$65 million from local and foreign investors during the second quarter of 2026, underscoring growing confidence in the province’s economic potential and positioning it as one of Zimbabwe’s emerging investment destinations.
According to the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), the investment inflows are expected to stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and strengthen productivity across key sectors of the provincial economy.
The province boasts a diversified economic base anchored by agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism and forestry, while abundant water resources and favourable climatic conditions continue to support horticulture and large-scale irrigation projects.
Manicaland also has vast potential for renewable energy development, particularly in solar, wind and hydropower generation.
The latest investment figures come as the Government intensifies efforts to attract both domestic and international capital through business-friendly reforms and investment promotion initiatives spearheaded by agencies such as ZIDA.
During the quarter, ZIDA issued six investment licences for projects in Manicaland, targeting high-impact ventures with the potential to enhance industrialisation and value addition.
Nationally, Zimbabwe attracted proposed investments worth US$1,5 billion through 184 licences processed during the same period.
ZIDA chief executive officer, Mr Tafadzwa Chinamo, attributed the positive performance to improvements in the country’s investment climate.
“Zimbabwe’s investment environment continued to benefit from several policy and regulatory developments, including new frameworks supporting the Victoria Falls International Financial Services Centre, trade facilitation measures and reforms aimed at reducing selected regulatory costs. Together, these developments contribute to a more competitive and investor-friendly business environment.
“Investment promotion activities undertaken during the quarter continued to strengthen Zimbabwe’s investment pipeline. Through targeted investor outreach, project promotion initiatives and strategic stakeholder engagements, the Agency facilitated engagement across priority sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure, ICT and renewable energy.
“Renewable energy emerged as a particularly active area, reflecting growing investor confidence in opportunities across the energy value chain. These efforts support Zimbabwe’s broader industrialisation and economic transformation agenda,” said Mr Chinamo.
Provincial Director for Economic Affairs and Investments in Manicaland, Mr Munyaradzi Rubaya, said much of the recent investment activity has been concentrated in timber processing and value addition projects.
“Most of our investments are in timber processing, covering both timber and non-timber products. Major projects include Komo’s resin plant and Wattle Company’s pulp factory in Mutasa District,” he said.
Mr Rubaya said the province was also witnessing significant growth in agro-processing and manufacturing.
“We have investors such as Mega Market, which intends to establish a noodle processing plant. “GreenFuel is expanding its irrigated land and has doubled its distillation capacity, significantly increasing ethanol production and storage capacity.
“Dairibord has replaced its old processing plant in Chipinge with a state-of-the-art facility to improve efficiency.
“The recapitalisation programme has increased production capacity to nearly three million litres annually,” he said.
Mr Rubaya also highlighted renewed activity in the motor industry, citing major developments at Quest Motors.
“There is notable revival at Quest Motors, which is currently retooling and has acquired new equipment for the production of electric vehicles. We are optimistic that by the end of the year, Manicaland will begin producing electric vehicles for both local and regional markets,” he said.
He added that economic activity was gaining momentum across the province, with growing investor interest being channelled through ZIDA, local authorities and various Government ministries, departments and agencies.
Strategically located along Zimbabwe’s eastern border with Mozambique, Manicaland enjoys access to regional trade corridors and export markets, making it an attractive destination for investors seeking opportunities in value addition, agro-processing, manufacturing and renewable energy. As investment interest continues to rise, the province is positioning itself as a key driver of Zimbabwe’s industrialisation and economic transformation agenda.
