Keypoints:
- Dangote Group invests $1bn in Zimbabwe
- Projects span energy, fertiliser, cement and infrastructure
- Mnangagwa hails growing investor confidence
ZIMBABWEAN President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced a landmark $1bn investment deal with Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote’s conglomerate, marking one of the largest private capital inflows into the country in recent years.
Following a meeting in Harare, Mnangagwa confirmed that the Dangote Group has signed an expansive agreement covering energy, fertiliser, cement, and infrastructure development. He said the move underscored growing investor confidence in Zimbabwe’s economic reform agenda and its industrialisation push.
Energy and infrastructure drive
A central element of the agreement is a regional oil refinery and pipeline project set to originate from Walvis Bay in Namibia and traverse several Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations, including Zimbabwe. The cross-border pipeline is designed to strengthen regional energy security, reduce fuel import costs, and catalyse industrial growth.
‘The pipeline will enhance regional energy security and support industrial growth,’ Mnangagwa said in a post on his social media platforms.
The project aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, a long-term plan aimed at achieving sustainable economic transformation through investment-driven growth and greater regional cooperation.
Boost for agriculture and fertiliser output
The deal also features major investment in fertiliser production, with Dangote Group set to establish local manufacturing facilities to serve Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector. Mnangagwa said the investment would enhance agricultural competitiveness and reinforce Zimbabwe’s pivotal role in regional food security.
‘The Dangote Group recognises Zimbabwe’s strong agricultural base and its strategic role in regional food security,’ he said. ‘Investment in local fertiliser production will significantly boost agricultural competitiveness and productivity.’
Cement and construction expansion
The agreement extends Dangote’s reach into Zimbabwe’s cement sector, a key driver of infrastructure development. With housing demand and public works on the rise, a new Dangote cement facility is expected to strengthen local supply chains and reduce reliance on imports.
Confidence in Zimbabwe’s reform path
Mnangagwa described the partnership as a milestone in Zimbabwe’s pursuit of energy self-sufficiency and industrial expansion. He said it reflects renewed faith among African investors in Zimbabwe’s business environment and reform policies.
‘We welcome this collaboration as a milestone towards industrialisation, energy self-sufficiency, and sustainable growth in line with Vision 2030,’ Mnangagwa stated.
The Dangote Group, Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate, operates across more than 10 countries in sectors including cement, fertiliser, oil and gas, and logistics. The $1bn Zimbabwe venture represents a deepening of economic ties between Nigeria and Zimbabwe, while reinforcing Dangote’s regional footprint across Southern Africa.
