Investors target opportunities across rural Mazowe

GROWING appetite for investment in Zimbabwe, including by locals based in the diaspora, saw innumerable multimillion-dollar proposals to invest in various economic sectors in the Mazowe Rural District during an investment and business expo held on Friday.

The expo was attended by investors from the United States of America, Singapore and South Africa who joined local businesspeople in making proposals for investments in the area.

This year’s event, which was hosted by the Mazowe Rural District Council, is the second investment conference by the local authority after the first one, which was successfully held in 2019, yielding positive results in mining and real estate.

Investor interest in Zimbabwe keeps growing, on account of the pro-business and investor-friendly policies of the Second Republic, which saws the country registering a 35,5 percent increase in proposed investment projects to US$1 836 billion in the first half of the year.

A Zimbabwean based in the US, Sifiso Mathwasa, intends to bring back home renewable energy technology and knowledge he acquired abroad through a proposed US$7,5 million solar plant in Concession.

The solar plant will have the capacity to generate 6,2 megawatts.

“We will start with 2, 27 megawatts in the first phase and another 2,2 megawatts in the second and third phase. Initially, we wanted to do 25 megawatts but some of the land was not suitable and we scaled down,” he said.

The solar plant will complement other public and private sector initiatives to increase domestic power generation to close the existing demand gap.

“However, there is a new technology, which involves 1000-watt panels to double the capacity of power in the same area. Getting permits was not difficult through the support of the Government and local authority.

“We will bring three engineers from the (USA) who will train local staff so that we can transfer the knowledge we picked up abroad. To my colleagues abroad, business is open and everyone is opening doors for us and we feel welcome.”

Mr Mathwasa said when they finish the first phase of the project they will open a renewable energy school to educate locals about the future of renewable energy.

Mazowe Citrus also presented their planned investment in Mazowee saying they have earmarked US$2 million to kick start several projects around the Mazowe Dam.

The company intends to build a conference centre on top of the mountain opposite their kiosk at Mazowe Dam, which can accommodate more than 300 guests.

On the opposite mountain, the company has proposed to invest in the construction of a helipad with the capacity to accommodate five helicopters. Mazowe Citrus, represented by Mr Tapera Mazodza, said they have plans for a bird sanctuary which will have different species.

A suspended bridge will be built to connect the two mountains, which will give nature lovers an opportunity for bird watching.

“We also have plans for an upmarket restaurant which will serve international meals. We want to start these projects as soon as possible so that we contribute and add value to the tourism sector,” he said.

Economist and former chief Investments and corporate affairs officer at Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency Mr Tino Kambasha proposed an investment into building a modern primary school in Mazowe.

He has already secured the requisite land totalling 255 hectares and funding for the project. The school will have a sports academy and retreat centre big enough to accommodate sports people seeking escape from big city noise.

“We are investing in people because that is the best asset that we have,” he said.

Homelux founder Mr Justin Machibaya appealed for 5 to 10 hectares to build 12-floor skyscrapers.

He said the company also had plans to invest in cluster homes for the elderly and retirement estate whose plan will encompass a dam.

Although Zimbabwe Tourism Authority stone age archaeologist, Dr Happinos Marufu, said although little investment had gone into the area’s cultural tourism, it emerged proposals have been made to build a culture centre at Shavarunzi Hill in Cristonbank.

Mazowe District is where rock paintings, ancient granaries and Mbuya Nehanda’s cave are found.

Dr Marufu said the northern corridor WAS rich in opportunities and the history of Nyatsimba Mutota and the Mutapa state.

“Many of the places of interest are not developed, but they are equivalent to other famous places across the country. Zimbabwean art is celebrated outside the country and we are not doing much to promote our art and culture,” he said.

“We need to promote tourism so that people can travel and see. These destinations need to be accessible and policies put in place to promote domestic tourism.”-herald