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.