Zimbabwe targets US$923m in investments and Chinese battery manufacturers

Zimbabwe has identified 98 potential investment opportunities totaling approximately US$923 million in financing. According to the Zimbabwe Impact Investment Map, developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), 31 priority projects account for US$535 million of this pipeline. The opportunities span sectors including agriculture, renewable energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, and financial services.

In a parallel effort to drive industrialization, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has conducted an investment promotion mission to China. The mission aims to encourage major Chinese battery manufacturers, such as Huayou Cobalt and Chilwee Group, to establish local production facilities in Zimbabwe. This strategy focuses on the beneficiation of mineral resources, particularly lithium, to move the country toward manufacturing and value addition rather than solely exporting raw materials.