The Matabeleland North Investment Indaba 2026, held from 9 to 10 July at Bhenasvilla in Umguza District, brought together government leaders, local and international investors, business executives and tourism operators to discuss investment opportunities in the province.
Held under the theme “Unlocking Opportunities, Driving Growth, Building Prosperity,” the conference focused on attracting investment, creating jobs and accelerating economic development in line with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
The event was officially opened by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, who delivered the keynote address. Senior government officials and members of ZANU PF also attended the two-day conference.
In his address, Prof. Ncube said Zimbabwe’s economy continues to perform strongly due to sound economic policies. He noted that the economy grew by 8.2 percent in 2025, exceeding the earlier projection of 6.6 percent, while growth of 5 percent is expected in 2026.
He said inflation remains low and the exchange rate has remained relatively stable, creating a more predictable environment for businesses and investors.The Minister also highlighted improvements in the country’s investment climate. He said Government has completed a major review of licences, permits and fees across 13 key sectors, making it easier to do business by reducing unnecessary regulations and improving efficiency. Prof. Ncube said these reforms are already attracting more investors.
During 2025, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) approved 871 investment projects, up from 709 projects in 2024. Foreign Direct Investment also increased from US$596.7 million in 2024 to US$964.9 million in 2025, showing growing investor confidence.
Turning to Matabeleland North, the Minister described the province as one of Zimbabwe’s fastest-growing regions. He said the province contributed 6.52 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024 and recorded the highest economic growth rate in the country at 9.7 percent.
He highlighted the province’s strengths, including Hwange’s coal and energy industry, Victoria Falls’ tourism sector, Lupane’s coal-bed methane gas, and agricultural opportunities in Binga, Nkayi, Tsholotsho and Umguza.
Prof. Ncube also said investment depends on strong infrastructure. He pointed to major projects such as the completion of Hwange Units 7 and 8, improvements to electricity transmission, road networks, border posts, digital connectivity and the Gwayi-Shangani Dam, saying these projects are creating a strong foundation for industrial growth and private sector investment.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) echoed the importance of water infrastructure during the conference. Officials said the Gwayi-Shangani Dam will transform agriculture by providing reliable water supplies for irrigation. Farmers were encouraged to make better use of water stored in existing dams for commercial irrigation.
Agriculture was another major focus of the conference. Although Matabeleland North falls within natural regions IV and V, which receive low rainfall, delegates agreed that irrigation, greenhouse farming and modern farming technologies can improve production and strengthen food security.
The Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) presented flexible financing packages designed to match farmers’ production cycles. The institution pledged support for irrigation systems, greenhouse production, wheat and summer cropping programmes, as well as livestock production.
Delegates said the Investment Indaba created an important platform for networking, sharing ideas and building partnerships that will unlock the province’s economic potential. As the conference concluded on Friday, participants expressed confidence that the commitments made during the two-day gathering will attract new investment, create employment opportunities and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Matabeleland North, supporting Zimbabwe’s goal of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
