Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere in Xiong’an, China
ZIMBABWE is courting Chinese investment and expertise to accelerate its digital and industrial transformation, with the country seeking to move from being a consumer of technology to becoming a creator, owner and exporter of digital solutions, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.
Addressing the 2026 Xiong’an Digital Trade Innovation and Development Conference here yesterday, VP Chiwenga invited Chinese technology companies, financial institutions and innovators to partner with Zimbabwe in expanding digital infrastructure and developing home-grown solutions.
“We are clear that Zimbabwe must move beyond being a consumer of technology to becoming a creator, owner and exporter of digital solutions,” said VP Chiwenga.
“We, therefore, invite Chinese companies, technology leaders and financial institutions to partner with us in expanding our digital infrastructure, including broadband and fibre networks, data centres, cloud services and other emerging technologies.”
VP Chiwenga was speaking after a packed programme in Xiong’an New Area, where he and his delegation toured the Comprehensive Service Centre of the Initial Development Zone, China Huaneng Group Co Ltd and Sinochem Holdings.
The visits gave the Zimbabwean delegation first-hand insights into how China is integrating technology, modern infrastructure, green energy, investment and long-term urban planning in developing Xiong’an into what has been dubbed a “City of the Future”.
“The transformation we are witnessing in this city demonstrates what can be achieved when technology, infrastructure, innovation and investment are aligned with a clear national development vision,” said VP Chiwenga.
“We are here to learn from this experience, identify areas of mutual interest, and build partnerships that can be adapted to our own circumstances and contribute to Africa’s digital transformation.”
Established in 2017 in Hebei Province as a major national development project, Xiong’an is also an important destination for functions and institutions being relocated from Beijing.
By the end of 2024, more than 200 square kilometres had been developed, attracting billions of US dollars in investment.
The Vice President’s tour of China Huaneng was particularly significant as Zimbabwe seeks reliable energy to support mining, beneficiation, manufacturing, agriculture and the digital economy.
China Huaneng is one of China’s major State-owned energy enterprises, with interests spanning electricity generation, new energy, coal, finance, transportation and environmental protection. It has 57 secondary subsidiaries, more than 480 tertiary enterprises and about 123 000 employees.
More than 1 000 China Huaneng employees relocated to Xiong’an in October last year as part of China’s broader strategy of transferring selected non-capital functions from Beijing.
After touring the company, VP Chiwenga said Zimbabwe could benefit from greater cooperation with Huaneng.
“What we have learnt here is that most of the teething problems we have at home can actually be ironed out with the cooperation of the company,” he said.
“We have come with the head of Zesa and the Minister of Energy and Power Development July Moyo, and I think they have learnt a lot. They will engage and we will be cooperating with this company.”
VP Chiwenga also toured Sinochem Holdings, whose headquarters are now based at Sinochem Tower in Xiong’an.
Sinochem is among the major central State-owned enterprises establishing headquarters in the New Area, with its Xiong’an headquarters officially coming into operation in October last year.
The facility has been developed as a model of smart, healthy, energy-efficient and low-carbon construction.
The tours dovetailed with the Vice President’s message that Zimbabwe wants investment that goes beyond importing finished technologies and instead builds domestic technological and industrial capabilities.
He said digitalisation was now an integral part of Zimbabwe’s broader industrialisation programme, guided by the National Development Strategy 2, Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan,
National Information Communication Technology Policy and National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2026–2030.
The objective is to use digitalisation to improve public services, increase productivity, expand
market access and create opportunities for inclusive economic growth.
Under the theme “Digital Intelligent Xiong’an, Serving the Globe”, the 2026 Xiong’an Digital Trade Innovation and Development Conference is one of the thematic forums of the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS).
For the second consecutive year, it is the only CIFTIS thematic forum being held outside Beijing.
This year’s conference is focused not only on showcasing technologies, but also on facilitating transactions, international cooperation and commercialisation.
The broader 2026 CIFTIS programme opened in Beijing on Wednesday, showcasing technologies and services across artificial intelligence, healthcare, finance, transportation and energy, among other sectors.
For Zimbabwe, VP Chiwenga said the opportunities extended beyond conventional information and communication technologies.
In agriculture, Zimbabwe is seeking investment in smart farming, digital irrigation and technology-enabled agricultural value chains.
Opportunities in mining include digital exploration, smart mining, automation, mineral processing and beneficiation, while the energy sector offers scope for partnerships in smart-grid technology, renewable energy and energy management.
Digital financial solutions could also help expand access to financial services for small and medium enterprises, which remain largely underserved.
“In financial services, we seek solutions to serve our Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which form the backbone of our economy but remain largely unbanked,” he said.
Artificial intelligence is another priority area, with Zimbabwe seeking investment and expertise in research, data infrastructure, local application development, innovation ecosystems and skills development.
“Our ambition is that Zimbabwe’s young people should not merely use emerging technologies, but should create and own solutions relevant to Zimbabwe, Africa and the global market,” he said.
VP Chiwenga said cybersecurity and data protection would have to advance alongside digitalisation, with Zimbabwe seeking partnerships in protecting critical infrastructure, securing digital systems, threat intelligence, incident response and specialised skills.
Zimbabwe could also provide Chinese technology companies with a gateway into wider African markets through the Southern African Development Community, Common Market for Eastern and
Southern Africa and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The investment proposition, he said, was therefore not simply about bringing foreign technology
into Zimbabwe, but also about skills development, technology transfer, domestic value creation and using the country as a platform to access wider markets.
“To our Chinese partners, investors, technology companies, financial institutions and innovators, I extend a direct invitation: Come and invest in Zimbabwe’s digital future,” said VP Chiwenga.
“Partner with us in building digital infrastructure, developing digital services, advancing Artificial Intelligence, strengthening cybersecurity, modernising productive sectors and equipping the next generation with the skills to drive our transformation.”
