President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially cleared the way for Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote to visit Zimbabwe, opening the door for a potential US$1 billion investment in the country.
The anticipated visit, coordinated by Bard Santner Markets Inc and Zimbabwean business adviser Mrs. Josephine Mahachi, is expected to solidify a multi-sector investment plan spanning cement production, coal mining, and power generation.
This major investment aligns with the government’s Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into a prosperous upper-middle-income economy.
Confirmed Presidential Approval and Coordination
Mrs. Mahachi confirmed that President Mnangagwa had approved the visit, paving the way for Dangote and his team to engage directly with the President and senior officials.
“I can confirm that Mr. Dangote will return to Zimbabwe soon to explore strategic investment opportunities,” she said. “While the exact dates are still being finalized, a formal mandate has been signed. We are partnering with Bard Santner Incorporated to ensure the process is smooth and well-coordinated.”
Dr. Paul Tungwarara, Presidential Investment Advisor, highlighted the government’s commitment to the project. “Africa’s richest man is visiting Zimbabwe at the President’s invitation. Continuous communication is underway to finalize logistics and ensure a meaningful investment, avoiding setbacks from previous visits in 2015,” he explained.
Scope of the Proposed Investment
Sources indicate that the Dangote Group’s planned projects in Zimbabwe include:
A fully integrated cement factory
A limestone quarry and grinding plant
A coal mine
A dedicated power station
The total value of these initiatives is projected to range between US$800 million and US$1 billion.
A Second Chance for a Landmark Deal
Aliko Dangote, head of Dangote Industries Limited, is Africa’s wealthiest individual with diverse business interests in cement, sugar, fertilizers, oil, and gas across 16 African countries.
While previous visits to Zimbabwe in 2015 and 2018 did not lead to actual investments, the President’s direct support and the current structured facilitation have raised optimism that this attempt will finally result in a transformative deal for Zimbabwe’s economy.
