Zimbabwe approved more than US$3 billion worth of investment projects during the first half of 2026, with mining accounting for the largest share of the pipeline as the country’s investment promotion agency intensifies efforts to convert investor interest into projects on the ground, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) approved 378 investment licences between January and June, with a projected investment value exceeding US$3 billion, reinforcing mining’s position as the country’s leading investment destination, followed by manufacturing.
Speaking at the ZIDA 2026 Media Engagement Forum in Harare on Wednesday, ZIDA Chief Executive Officer Tafadzwa Chinamo said the agency was increasingly shifting its focus from investment promotion to investment conversion, with greater emphasis on ensuring approved projects reach implementation.
“The first-half results demonstrate that Zimbabwe continues to attract investor interest across priority sectors while reinforcing the Agency’s focus on converting investor enquiries into bankable and implementable investment projects,” Chinamo said.
The agency’s second-quarter performance reflected the same trend, with 184 investment licences approved during the quarter, representing a projected investment value of US$1.59 billion.
Mining remained the dominant sector after securing 86 investment licences worth US$768.5 million, while manufacturing followed with 43 licences valued at approximately US$496.7 million.
Together, the two sectors accounted for nearly 80 percent of the projected investment value approved during the quarter, highlighting their importance to Zimbabwe’s industrialisation agenda and efforts to attract capital into productive sectors of the economy.
Beyond issuing investment licences, ZIDA said it was placing greater emphasis on securing quality investments capable of progressing to implementation.
During the second quarter, the agency directly engaged 241 targeted investors, generated 38 qualified investor leads, facilitated 15 tripartite investment meetings, secured eight investor commitments and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), and attracted investment commitments worth approximately US$413.8 million.
Chinamo said the figures demonstrated the agency’s deliberate move towards targeted investor engagement rather than simply increasing promotional activities.
“Investment promotion is ultimately measured not only by projects approved, but by projects implemented, businesses established, employment created and long-term economic value generated,” he said.
He said ZIDA had also strengthened investor facilitation through closer collaboration with Government institutions and private sector partners to accelerate project implementation and improve investor aftercare.
The agency also used the forum to outline Zimbabwe’s recently approved Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Framework, which is expected to provide a clearer framework for private sector participation in infrastructure and strategic development projects.
Looking ahead to the second half of the year, Chinamo said ZIDA would continue prioritising targeted investment promotion in strategic sectors, improving investor facilitation and aftercare, strengthening collaboration with Government and the private sector, and increasing the promotion of Public-Private Partnership opportunities.
He also underscored the media’s role in supporting Zimbabwe’s investment agenda, saying credible and balanced reporting remained critical in strengthening investor confidence and communicating the country’s reforms to both local and international investors.
“The success of investment promotion is therefore not measured solely by the number of licences issued. It is measured by informed investors, credible information, projects implemented, businesses expanded, jobs created and the confidence that Zimbabwe inspires,” Chinamo said.
