The appetite for investing in Zimbabwe’s mining sector remains robust, as demonstrated by the overwhelming turnout at the Zimbabwe Mining Indaba, a high-profile dinner hosted by the Zimbabwean delegation on the sidelines of the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The event, organized in collaboration with Kuvimba Mining House, attracted over 90 investors, underscoring growing interest in the country’s mining industry, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
Speaking on the sidelines of the dinner, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Winston Chitando, said the appetite for investing in Zimbabwe’s mining sector remains strong, with an encouraging turnout of investors and stakeholders. Chitando highlighted the increasing interest in Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth as the country continues to pursue its goal of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Minister Chitando emphasized the critical role mining plays in Zimbabwe’s economic transformation, noting that investment and productivity are central to achieving the 2030 vision.
“We are on a journey towards the 2030 vision of Zimbabwe becoming an upper-middle-income economy. It’s defined by the income per capita, and for that, we need increased investments and increased productivity,” said Chitando.
The dinner, organized in partnership with Kuvimba Mining House, drew over 90 attendees, including current and potential investors — a turnout Chitando described as “fantastic” and reflective of the robust appetite to invest in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
“The turnout is fantastic; the appetite for the country and to invest and expand our industry is absolutely great. It’s beautiful to see,” Chitando stated.
The event underscores the increasing momentum Zimbabwe has gained over the years at the Mining Indaba. Reflecting on past experiences, Chitando recalled how few Zimbabweans were involved when he first attended the Indaba in 2005.
“You could count the number of people who were investors and Zimbabweans at the event,” he said. However, he noted that the situation has dramatically improved, with the 2024 event attracting so many participants that organizers had to limit attendance.
“This shows the success of Zimbabwe’s ‘open for business’ mantra and the appetite to invest and grow our economy,” Chitando remarked.
Zimbabwe’s mining sector has been a focal point for international investors, with the government emphasizing the potential for lucrative returns due to the country’s abundant mineral resources. The sector is central to the government’s upper-middle-income economy target by 2030, a goal that has attracted substantial investment in minerals such as gold, platinum, lithium, and diamonds.
In his address, Chitando noted that increased capital is vital to expanding Zimbabwe’s mining operations and enhancing productivity and employment opportunities.
“The focus of today’s event is really interaction with investors — current and potential — to try and get additional capital to expand our industry,” he stated.
As Zimbabwe continues to push for more investment in its mining industry, events like these are crucial in facilitating networking and promoting opportunities within the sector. With the country being open for business and global interest growing, Zimbabwe’s mining industry is poised for sustained growth in the coming years.
