Online Reporter
Kudzanai Sharara in Port Louis in Mauritius
Zimbabwe is open for business with significant investment opportunities across mining, energy, manufacturing, and agriculture, Mrs Netai Loice Magade, Director at Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, told delegates at the Mauritius-Zimbabwe Business Forum on Wednesday morning.
Speaking at the Caudan Arts Centre during the official proceedings of the five-day Mauritius-Zimbabwe Investment and Trade Mission, jointly organised by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) and the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Mrs Magade outlined the investment landscape and policy reforms designed to attract foreign direct investment.
Mrs Magade highlighted that Zimbabwe has banned the export of raw mineral concentrates and is now encouraging investment in local processing plants. She revealed that Zimbabwe made its first shipment of processed lithium phosphates on 20 April this year, becoming the first country on the African continent to export processed lithium. The Government is targeting at least 70 percent of minerals to be exported as processed intermediate products, she said, underscoring the country’s commitment to value addition.
Turning to the energy sector, Mrs Magade noted that Zimbabwe’s total power demand stands at approximately 4,000 megawatts, while installed capacity is only 2,600 megawatts, with the country currently able to generate only 70 percent of that capacity. She highlighted significant investment opportunities in renewable energy, noting that the Southern African Power Pool is headquartered in Harare, allowing investors to export power to regional markets. Any investment in renewable energy is guaranteed to be able to export power either to the national grid or to the regional power pool, she assured delegates.
Mrs Magade also pointed to collaboration opportunities in sugar, noting that Mauritius had expressed interest and that Zimbabwe had recently launched its sugar sector development strategy. She encouraged investment in 15 identified value chains, describing manufacturing as the engine of growth and emphasising the potential to generate jobs and boost exports for the mutual benefit of both economies.
In a significant revelation, Mrs Magade announced that Zimbabwe has been awarded a World Health Organisation designation at the highest level, making it the fourth country globally to receive this recognition after South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. The designation confirms that Zimbabwe has satisfied international health standards and established advanced systems to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency in pharmaceutical production while continuously improving its regulatory framework.
She also highlighted Zimbabwe’s strategic geographical location within the Southern African region, positioned on the north-south corridor with access to neighbouring markets. She described the country as stable, peaceful, and secure for investment, with adherence to international investment treaties and a highly skilled workforce.
The forum continues with briefings from the Economic Development Board and Financial Services Commission, followed by a panel discussion and B2B matchmaking sessions later today.
