The Office of the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution is hosting the Midlands Investment Conference next month, focusing on practical, solution-oriented dialogue to accelerate regional investment and industrialisation.

The event, running under the theme Unlocking Midlands Investment Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth, will be held on October 30, 2026, in collaboration with Africa Economic Development Strategies.

The high-level event will bring together policymakers, local and international investors, development finance institutions, and industry leaders to drive investment-led economic transformation in the province.

The provincial administration is anchoring its investor pitch on several strategic pillars that highlight the region’s key advantages and established industrial footprint.

Situated at the geographic heart of Zimbabwe, Midlands serves as a central logistics corridor connecting Harare, Bulawayo, and regional transport networks across the SADC region.

The province hosts major mining entities including Mimosa Mining Company in Zvishavane, Anglo American’s Unki Mine in Shurugwi, Zimasco in Kwekwe, and Murowa Diamonds.

Anchored by heavy manufacturing and smelting operations, the region features flagship projects such as the Dinson Iron and Steel Company plant in Manhize, along with steel, chemical, and fertiliser manufacturers in Kwekwe and Gweru.

The province maintains a diverse agricultural ecosystem, spanning large-scale cotton farming in Gokwe, which feeds into processing hubs run by the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe, alongside grain, livestock, and horticulture operations.

Anchored by higher education institutions like Midlands State University, the province offers a steady pipeline of skilled human capital, innovation hubs, and research capabilities.

With direct link roads and railway corridors, Midlands provides access to over 300 million consumers across the SADC region, COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Investment policy implementation

Discussions under this pillar will focus on aligning provincial projects with national strategic blueprints, particularly operationalising the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy 2 and National Development Strategy 2. Delegates will examine mechanisms for local content enforcement and procurement reform to ensure that domestic industries retain a greater share of value-chain expenditure. Conversations will also target regulatory efficiency, addressing operational bottlenecks to enhance the ease of doing business for new and existing enterprises.

Investment financing and investment mobilisation

This thematic area addresses the financial structures required to turn investment interest into operational projects. Key sessions will deliberate on the operationalisation of the Industrial Development Fund alongside blended finance models and public-private partnerships. Experts and institutional investors will explore project preparation tools to structure bankable greenfield and brownfield projects capable of attracting international and local capital.

Value chain development and localisation

Focusing on industrial integration, this pillar explores strategies to build strong backward and forward linkages across primary manufacturing, agriculture, and mining. Deliberations will centre on import substitution to build resilience against external supply chain shocks, while encouraging industrial cluster development to optimise production costs and promote localised supplier networks.

Mineral beneficiation and resource-based investments

Given the province’s position along the mineral-rich Great Dyke, discussions will centre on transitioning from raw mineral exports toward high-value, processed products. Key focus areas include policy readiness surrounding export restrictions on critical raw minerals like lithium and chrome, alongside the creation of downstream refining and processing industries designed to keep value addition within the national economy.

Iron and steel investment ecosystem

Anchored by the multi-billion-dollar Dinson Iron and Steel Company plant in Manhize, this pillar will examine how to build a broader industrial ecosystem around primary steel production. Sessions will focus on leveraging the Manhize plant as an anchor off-taker, developing downstream manufacturing industries in construction, automotive, and heavy engineering, and positioning Zimbabwe as a major steel manufacturing hub across Southern Africa.

Export competitiveness and AfCFTA integration

With a view toward trade expansion, this pillar focuses on market access strategies under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), COMESA, and SADC frameworks. Panelists will address quality infrastructure, standards compliance, and international certification to ensure Midlands-made goods meet global criteria, while detailing export financing options and trade facilitation mechanisms.

Technology, innovation and investment upgrading

This area examines modernising local production capabilities through Industry 4.0 automation, big data, and smart manufacturing systems. Discussions will focus on industrial retooling to boost overall plant productivity, as well as fostering innovation ecosystems that bridge higher education research, such as Midlands State University’s innovation hubs, with commercial industry applications.

Energy & infrastructure for investments

Achieving sustainable industrial growth requires reliable supporting infrastructure. This pillar will highlight investments in utility-scale renewable energy and independent power producer projects to guarantee affordable power for heavy industry. Sessions will address road, rail, and logistics bottlenecks, alongside the layout and operationalisation of specialised Special Economic Zones and industrial parks.

SME integration and inclusive investments

To ensure economic growth is broadly inclusive, delegates will deliberate on formalising small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and improving their access to affordable funding. Discussions will focus on creating structured linkages that connect local SMEs directly to primary corporate supply chains, alongside driving rural industrialisation strategies across districts such as Gokwe and Mberengwa.

Sustainability and green investment

Aligning regional development with global environmental requirements, this final pillar focuses on Environmental, Social, and Governance compliance within manufacturing and extractive industries. Discussions will feature resource efficiency, circular economy models, such as utilising industrial by-products for cement production, and implementing climate-smart industrial practices to ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

The Minister in the office of the President and Provincial affairs and Devolution, in partnership with AEDS, will host the Midlands International Investment Conference from the 22^nd to the 23^rd of October 2026 in Gweru. The Conference is conceived as a high-impact platform to catalyse investment and accelerate economic transformation in Midlands Province. Its vision is to position the province as a premier investment destination in Zimbabwe by effectively showcasing its economic potential, competitive advantages, and pipeline of bankable opportunities. The Conference seeks to facilitate structured deal-making through targeted engagements among Government, investors, development partners, and the private sector, while also fostering long-term partnerships and strengthening investor confidence. The Conference aims to promote Midlands Province as a preferred investment destination in Zimbabwe, the Eastern and Southern African region, and the African continent by showcasing viable greenfield and brownfield investment opportunities, facilitating strategic partnerships, and strengthening collaboration between the Government, the private sector, investors, and academia. The Conference is a must-attend because it: (a) showcases Midlands Province’s priority investment opportunities across key productive sectors of the economy; (b) presents bankable greenfield and brownfield projects ready for investment and joint ventures; (c) provides a structured platform for dialogue between the Government and investors on policy, incentives, and regulatory frameworks; (d) facilitates business-to-business (B2B), business-to-government (B2G), and public-private partnership (PPP) engagements; (e) promotes innovation, research commercialisation, and value addition through academia-industry collaboration; and (f) strengthens investor confidence by highlighting macro-economic stability, reforms, and investment protection mechanisms.

Business Reporter -Herald

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in partnership with local economic think-tank, Africa Economic Development Strategies, is set to host the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo 2026, as part of efforts to mobilise domestic and global capital.

The Indaba is scheduled to take place from July 23 to 24 at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds in Bulawayo.

It serves as the Government’s primary market-driven vehicle to accelerate Zimbabwe’s transition into a competitive regional manufacturing economy.

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The AEDS’ Market Watch is a leading newsletter produced monthly by AEDS, providing real-time market data, business news, analysis of emerging economic trends and policy issues, and investment tools for both individual and institutional investors. The AEDS’ Market Watch serves a diverse audience, including both individual and institutional investors, financial advisors, and corporate executives. It covers news and analysis designed to help readers track market performance, identity investment opportunities and make informed financial decisions.

The research underpinning the Midlands International Investment Conference, to be held in Gweru on 5–6 November 2026, entails the development of a comprehensive Investment Prospectus that identifies, structures, and packages bankable projects from the eight (8) Districts across key sectors such as mining, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and tourism. The study will involve an in-depth assessment of districts within the province to assess investment opportunities, value chain potential, and sector competitiveness, while presenting projects with robust financial metrics, including Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Return on Investment, payback period, projected cash flows, and ESG considerations. The study will also examine investment incentives, policy frameworks, and risk mitigation measures to ensure that projects are investor-ready and de-risked. Ultimately, the research aims to provide a credible pipeline of viable greenfield and brownfield projects; facilitate partnerships; attract both local and international investors; and support investment-led economic growth in the Midlands Province.

AEDS will host the Third Edition of the Zimbabwe Economic Pulse (Second Quarter 2026 Mid-Year Review) on 5 November 2026 at Cresta Lodge, Harare, to provide an assessment of Zimbabwe’s economic performance in the first nine (9) months of 2026, analysing global and domestic trends, sectoral developments, and key macroeconomic indicators such as growth, inflation, exchange rate stability, and fiscal performance. The dialogue will review financial and external sector dynamics while identifying critical areas requiring policy intervention and stronger controls, particularly in fiscal discipline, monetary stability, energy supply, and market confidence, to keep the economy on a stable path.

The main output will be the Third Edition of ZEP report, which seeks to further highlight structural challenges and emerging opportunities, and conclude with practical recommendations to support resilience, stability, and inclusive growth. The report will be shared at the dialogue through a presentation by AEDS.

The Minister in the office of the President and Provincial affairs and Devolution, in partnership with AEDS, will host the Midlands International Investment Conference from the 22 nd to the 23 rd of October 2026 in Gweru. The Conference is conceived as a high-impact platform to catalyse investment and accelerate economic transformation in Midlands Province. Its vision is to position the province as a premier investment destination in Zimbabwe by effectively showcasing its economic potential, competitive advantages, and pipeline of bankable opportunities. The Conference seeks to facilitate structured deal-making through targeted engagements among Government, investors, development partners, and the private sector, while also fostering long-term partnerships and strengthening investor confidence. The Conference aims to promote Midlands Province as a preferred investment destination in Zimbabwe, the Eastern and Southern African region, and the African continent by showcasing viable greenfield and 29 – 30 October 2026 (Gweru, Conference) brownfield investment opportunities, facilitating strategic partnerships, and strengthening collaboration between the Government, the private sector, investors, and academia. The Conference is a must-attend because it: (a) showcases Midlands Province’s priority investment opportunities across key productive sectors of the economy; (b) presents bankable greenfield and brownfield projects ready for investment and joint ventures; (c) provides a structured platform for dialogue between the Government and investors on policy, incentives, and regulatory frameworks; (d) facilitates business-to-business (B2B), business-to-government (B2G), and public-private partnership (PPP) engagements; (e) promotes innovation, research commercialisation, and value addition through academia- industry collaboration; and (f) strengthens investor confidence by highlighting macro-economic stability, reforms, and investment protection mechanisms.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Sibusiso Moyo has appointed the board members of ZimTrade. ZimTrade is the National Trade Development and Promotion Organisation established in 1991.The Organisation is a joint venture partnership between the Government of Zimbabwe and the Private Sector and is governed by the ZimTrade Constitution.

The mandate of ZimTrade is to facilitate the development and growth of Zimbabwe’s exports.

The new members of the ZimTrade Board have been appointed by Minister Moyo are:

1. Mrs Clara Mlambo – Board Member and Chairperson

2. Dr Davison T. Gomo – Board Member

3. Ms Florence Makombe – Board Member

4. Professor Gift  Mugano  – Board Member

5. Mr Stewart Nyakotyo – Board Member

The mandate of ZimTrade is to facilitate the development and growth of Zimbabwe’s exports.

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