The Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) is urging Government and stakeholders to fast-track the full development of the E-Cadastre system, underscoring its growing importance to serious investors, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
For years, the E-Cadastre system has been mooted as a critical reform measure for the mining sector.
At its core, a cadastre system clearly and unambiguously identifies ownership of mining tenements and claims across the country, information that is fundamental for investor confidence.
Despite its significance, progress has been slow. The system has long been affected by delays, leaving the sector reliant on manual records and outdated maps.
However, momentum appears to be building. Last week, Government indicated that the platform is set to be launched this year following inquiries from prospective investors at the recently concluded Mining Indaba.
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe at a recent event in the capital, ZIDA Chief Executive Officer Tafadzwa Chinamo said the system must now be prioritised, given its strategic role in supporting mining sector growth.
“We don’t want a situation where investors are not sure of the legitimacy and authenticity of the claim that they purport to be holding. So rolling this out, I think the fact that we identified its need in 2014 means that that is where the world is going. So in this day and age, serious investors want that clarity. They want, at the click of a button, to know where their claim stands and ends.”
“Relying on old maps or old information, or just the plan, which is disputed, is also a problem. I think we’re talking to the ministry, to the players, and everyone else involved in this. The last thing that we want is for there to be so many cases in the courts where people are disputing, or the minister is being sued for allocating, perhaps, a claim to another person. So that system is very important,” Chinamo said.
His remarks reflect broader concerns within the industry about security of tenure and dispute resolution, both of which are central to attracting long-term capital.
The E-Cadastre system, designed to enhance transparency, minimise disputes, and modernise the administration of mining claims, has been under development for more than a decade.
Government initially introduced the idea as part of wider mining sector reforms, but implementation was hampered by data verification challenges, equipment requirements, and funding constraints.
In July 2025, authorities moved to accelerate the process by directing all mining title holders to submit survey-grade geographic coordinates. The measure was intended to ensure precise mapping and digital capture of claims, strengthen tenure security, and reduce boundary-related conflicts.
This ongoing data consolidation exercise represents a key preparatory stage for the platform’s rollout. It also positions Zimbabwe to align its cadastre framework more closely with regional and international best practice.
While previous briefings suggested that implementation was imminent, a firm launch date had not been communicated. The latest indications from Government, however, suggest the project has advanced beyond the planning phase. With funding reportedly secured and core infrastructure now in place, the remaining work is largely technical ahead of full deployment.
Once operational, the digital cadastre is expected to streamline mining title administration, reduce litigation, improve transparency, and bolster investor confidence, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s broader efforts to modernise and digitise the management of its mineral resources.
