Zimbabwe and the Dangote Group yesterday signed a global investment agreement spanning energy, cement, fertilizers, and infrastructure.
Dangote Group Chairperson, Aliko Dangote, said the company’s commitment to Zimbabwe reflects confidence in the country’s industrial potential and its strategic position within Southern Africa.
“Zimbabwe has proven to be an accomplished agricultural economy with immense potential in energy and manufacturing. Our partnership will unlock value in these sectors and contribute to subregional growth,” Dangote said.
Dangote noted that while Zimbabwe has strong farming capacity, limited fertilizer production has undermined its global competitiveness. The fertilizer component of the investment was viewed as a critical step in revitalizing Zimbabwe’s agricultural competitiveness.
“The missing link has been investment in fertilizers, which has made Zimbabwe’s agricultural commodities less competitive when benchmarked against global prices. We intend to change that,” he added.
Central to the agreement is a transnational oil refinery and subregional pipeline project that will begin at Walvis Bay in Namibia and pass through several SADC countries before reaching Zimbabwe.
The pipeline, covering over 2,200 kilometres, the approximate distance between Walvis Bay and Harare, will land in Bulawayo and extend to the capital via Gweru.
Economists have hailed the agreement as a transformative development for Zimbabwe’s industrial and energy landscape. According to economic analyst, Dr. Tinashe Mukonoweshuro, the project could significantly reduce fuel import costs and position Zimbabwe as a key logistics hub.
“By connecting to regional energy infrastructure, Zimbabwe stands to benefit from reduced transport costs, enhanced fuel security, and stronger integration into SADC trade networks,” he said.
Economist, Nyasha Mutize, echoed the sentiment, saying the fertilizer investment could help stabilize input prices and improve crop yields across the country.
“This project aligns perfectly with Zimbabwe’s goal of becoming a regional breadbasket again. Fertilizer production will lower import bills and enhance food security,” he said.
The agreement is expected to trigger large-scale investments, create jobs, and reshape Zimbabwe’s production structure over the coming decade, anchoring the nation more firmly within Africa’s emerging industrial network.
