ZEDCON turns to infrastructure, energy and smart cities

THE fifth Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference (ZEDCON) enters its third day today with delegates turning their attention to infrastructure-led economic transformation, sustainable energy and smart cities as Zimbabwe seeks to accelerate progress towards its Vision 2030 targets.

Under the theme “Smart Infrastructure for an Upper Middle-Income Society”, the conference is examining how infrastructure, technology and innovative financing can drive economic growth and improve competitiveness.

Rail infrastructure will take centre stage in the infrastructure discussions, with delegates examining its role in reducing the cost of moving goods and strengthening Zimbabwe’s position as a regional trade and logistics hub.

A key paper will examine “Tracking Towards Vision 2030: A Dual Track Strategy for National Rail Infrastructure Revitalisation and Institutional Reform”, alongside discussions on “Reimagining Rail Infrastructure in Zimbabwe: Innovative Financing and Operational Transformation for Upper Middle-Income Transition.”

Delegates will also consider the integration of the rail and steel industries under the theme “Zimbabwe’s Rail-Steel Integration as a Strategic Industrialisation Lever: Landlocked to Land-Linked.”

The energy sessions will focus on addressing the country’s power deficit while accelerating the transition towards renewable energy.

Papers will examine policy implementation, public-private partnerships and innovative financing for Zimbabwe’s renewable energy transition, as well as the potential of smart cities, microgrids and resource-efficient green buildings to unlock green finance.

Another paper will explore “Bridging Zimbabwe’s Energy Deficit through Distributed Solar PV Adoption: Integrating Energy Efficiency and Regional Energy Trade.”

Urban infrastructure will also come under the spotlight, with delegates examining ways of mobilising private capital to finance infrastructure and improve the business environment.

Discussions will assess “Unlocking Private Sector Finance for Urban Infrastructure in Zimbabwe: A Comparative Assessment of Land Based and User Financed Models.”

Industry participation will also be explored under “Creating a Win-Win Scenario: Incentivising Industry to Invest in Infrastructure.”

The discussions are expected to feed into policy recommendations on infrastructure financing and development, with the broader objective of translating research into practical interventions under Vision 2030.

The conference opened yesterday with Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Deputy Minister David Mnangagwa challenging delegates to produce concrete, evidence-based recommendations that can inform the 2027 National Budget and implementation of the Second National Development Strategy (NDS2).

He said ZEDCON was designed as a technical and policy platform where research and analysis could be translated into practical Government interventions.

“Infrastructure is the baseline factor of production that determines national productivity and competitiveness,” he said.

Deputy Minister Mnangagwa said unreliable energy, inefficient transport systems and inadequate digital infrastructure increased costs and undermined Zimbabwe’s competitiveness.

He said the country needed to move towards smart, integrated and technology-driven infrastructure, including smart grids, renewable energy, waste-to-energy generation and technology-enabled urban planning.

ZEDCON 2026 is structured around five pillars, sustainable energy and power generation; urban infrastructure and smart cities; ICT infrastructure and connectivity; rail infrastructure; and homegrown fintech and financial inclusion.

The conference is expected to generate actionable policy recommendations to support economic growth, infrastructure development and Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 ambitions.