AGP Executive Report

Mine Entra fallout: President Mnangagwa has cancelled a scheduled appearance at Mine Entra in Bulawayo at the last minute, leaving officials and media at the airport told to “stand down” with no explanation yet. Mining exploration push: VP Constantino Chiwenga used Mine Entra’s Exploration Forum to urge Zimbabwe to intensify geological mapping and exploration, warning that the country can’t benefit from minerals that remain underexplored. Tech for discovery: Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura said Zimbabwe is turning to AI, drones and modern geoscience tools to speed up safer, more efficient surveys, while stressing they complement geologists. Skills pipeline: Chiwenga also challenged universities and mining firms to strengthen practical industrial attachments so graduates can handle AI, remote sensing and geospatial analytics used in modern exploration. Dairy target: Government set a goal to lift annual milk output from 114 million litres to 200 million litres by 2030, backed by improved genetics, AI and partnerships. Tobacco momentum: Zimbabwe recorded its highest-ever tobacco deliveries at 356.2 million kg for the 2026 season, with growers preparing seedbeds for 2026/27. Returnees support: Treasury released US$4.8m to help Zimbabweans returning from South Africa after xenophobic unrest, including duty-free imports of household and business items. Cross-border trade: Mozambique awarded Chinese firms a 25-year deal to build and run a one-stop border post at Machipanda, aimed at cutting congestion and clearing times for the Beira–Zimbabwe corridor.

Lithium Boom: Zimbabwe exported lithium products worth $782m in the first half of 2026, up from $237m last year, as the first lithium sulphate plant lifts value addition and Treasury signals a ban on concentrate exports from Jan 2027. Budget Discipline: Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube says no supplementary budget is needed after stronger revenue collections, with ZiG137.8bn raised vs ZiG123.6bn spent in H1 and inflation averaging 4.2% so far. Mining Push: VP Chiwenga used Mine Entra’s exploration symposium to urge bigger mineral exploration investment, warning Zimbabwe risks a future resource gap without longer mine lives and sustained “patient capital.” Mine Entra Focus on Value: A beneficiation and value-add symposium at Mine Entra 2026 targets downstream processing to maximise mineral wealth and jobs. Data Licensing Backlash: POTRAZ’s new annual data licence fees under the Cyber and Data Protection Act sparked criticism over compliance costs that could hit businesses, churches and schools. Local Industry Watch: Bulawayo manufacturing capacity utilisation rose to 51.3% (from 45.8%), but energy costs and smuggled/counterfeit imports still squeeze firms. Transport Governance: Zupco’s collapse is flagged as a national embarrassment in the Auditor-General’s report, citing major losses, missing records and governance failures. Sports & Infrastructure: ICC unveiled 12 venues for the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, including Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.

Mine Entra 2026: Zimbabwe’s mining future is being pushed through a stronger focus on mineral exploration, with Chamber of Mines urging more funding to replace depleted reserves and keep downstream value chains fed. Electric Mobility in Mining: CMED’s 100% electric Riddara RD6 pickup is drawing heavy interest at Mine Entra as a way to cut operating costs and reduce fossil-fuel reliance. Local Manufacturing for Waste: Harare firm Willovale Vehicle Body Engineering is producing affordable tractor-drawn refuse collection equipment for councils, aiming to reduce expensive imports amid foreign-currency pressure. Trade Fair Momentum: Mine Entra 2026 in Bulawayo reports 98% space uptake, higher foreign exhibitor numbers and thousands of business visitors. SME Capital Access: ZEEX outlines step-by-step routes for entrepreneurs to raise funding, including private markets and invoice discounting. Agriculture & Irrigation: A US$120,000 Grain Levy-funded rehabilitation revived Nyaitenga Irrigation Scheme in Mutoko, restoring 20 hectares for farmers. Food Security & Drought Prep: GMB says it is ramping up grain reserves and logistics ahead of potential El Niño impacts. Health Access: HOSPAZ calls for urgent action to improve access to pain relief medicines, citing shortages and weak prescribing. Education Jobs: Government says teachers who graduated from 2019 still wait for employment, blaming limited public service capacity. Roads & Tolling: ZINARA is widening Inkomo Tollgate and rolling out e-tolling to ease congestion. Lithium Value Addition: China’s Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe opens a US$400m lithium sulfate plant near Harare, as Zimbabwe moves to capture more processing value locally. Competition Watch: CTC investigates Mega Market’s proposed takeover of Lobels Holdings.

Mining & Local Content: Mine Entra 2026 in Bulawayo is pushing “Enhancing Local Content and Linkages in the Mining Value Chain,” with the Chamber of Mines saying mining buys about 70% locally, yet only US$410m of mining inputs are made in Zimbabwe—highlighting the need to grow manufacturing linkages. Border & Logistics: Mozambique awarded Chinese firms a 25-year deal to build and run a one-stop border post at Machipanda (to link to Zimbabwe), aiming to cut delays on one of the busiest Beira corridors. Transport Infrastructure: RIDA has handed over lane-widening at Inkomo and Lion’s Den tollgates to Zinara to support electronic tolling rollout, with RFID express lanes to reduce congestion. Housing Delivery: Government reaffirmed the 1 million houses target by 2030, urging deliberate execution and faster coordination to meet devolution priorities. Energy & Power Markets: GreenCo called for harmonised Southern African electricity trading rules to unlock cross-border power flows and investment. Agriculture & Risk: Government unveiled a six-pillar drought preparedness plan for 2026/27, including early warning, climate-smart farming and grain reserve support. Policy Watch: All eyes are on Prof Mthuli Ncube’s Mid-Term Budget Review for stability, reforms and growth measures. Health Sector: Mnangagwa urged removal of “gatekeepers” and “cartels” blocking investment in specialist healthcare as the system faces ongoing strain.

IMF Watch: The IMF has completed the first review of Zimbabwe’s 10-month Staff-Monitored Programme, saying all end-March quantitative targets and structural benchmarks were met, with inflation staying in single digits and growth supported by agriculture and mining, while warning downside risks remain (including El Niño). Agro-Processing & Jobs: Zimbabwe is pushing drought resilience and value addition in Matabeleland South as Orangeville’s US$25m citrus expansion targets 1,500 jobs over five years, with a new juice plant certified for Schweppes supply. Mining & Compliance: Police at Forbes Border Post arrested a suspect after an alleged US$1,500 bribe attempt linked to illegal lithium exports to Mozambique, as Zimbabwe continues its raw lithium export ban. Mining Crackdown: Government has declared war on illegal urban mining, approving a national taskforce after Bindura assessments showed damage to roads, rail, public land and water pollution. Regional Trade Infrastructure: Mozambique approved and budgeted the Machipanda one-stop border post, with construction set to start next October to cut truck queues between Beira and Zimbabwe. Industry Skills & Innovation: Education Minister Dr Frederick Shava urged stronger Government–university–industry partnerships to reimagine STEM for climate, food security, industrialisation and digital transformation. Telecom & Power Investment: Econet InfraCo, newly listed on VFEX, says it deployed 90 base stations and is expanding solar and AI-driven infrastructure management to reduce diesel reliance. Mining Expo: Mine Entra 2026 opens in Bulawayo, bringing equipment, engineering and logistics players together as Zimbabwe pushes beneficiation, value addition and local content.

IMF Update: The IMF has approved completion of Zimbabwe’s first review under its 10-month Staff-Monitored Programme, citing strong implementation, low single-digit inflation, and resilience driven by agriculture and mining, while warning of downside risks from El Niño and renewed Middle East conflict. Mining & Value Addition: Zimbabwe’s gold exports surged 72% to US$3.1bn in the first half of 2026, and Mine Entra 2026 is set to open in Bulawayo (31 July) as hotels report near-capacity bookings. Agriculture & Climate Resilience: A research-backed cactus fodder project is boosting drought-proof dairy production for Mudzi women farmers, while maize deliveries to GMB more than doubled to 312,717 tonnes as producer prices support formal marketing. Health Sector Pressure: Mnangagwa renewed attacks on “cartels” in specialist healthcare, as public hospitals face shortages, and an investigation alleges illegal ARV use in Zimbabwe’s poultry industry—raising food safety and antimicrobial resistance concerns. Energy/Water & Policy: UN-linked reporting warns the world is moving from water crisis to “water bankruptcy,” and Zimbabwe’s BRICS New Development Bank admission signals a new development finance chapter. Trade & Logistics: Zimra moves to clear Beitbridge truck backlogs amid border congestion, while supply chain leaders can register for ASCON 2026 in Zambia (23–25 Sept).

IMF Confidence Boost: Zimbabwe cleared the first review of its 10-month Staff-Monitored Programme, with the Fund praising end-March targets and structural reforms while urging Harare to keep fiscal discipline and speed up governance work. Renewables for Mining: ZERA approved a 25-year licence for a 36MW solar plant with 48MWh battery storage at Kamativi Mine, backing lower power costs and more reliable supply for mining operations. Energy Resilience vs El Niño: Zesa says it’s tightening water management at Kariba and ramping Hwange Thermal generation to cushion potential Super El Niño disruptions. Agriculture Market Integrity: Government warned farmers to benchmark prices against the Grain Marketing Board and avoid unscrupulous grain buyers offering “poultry prices.” Food Safety Red Flag: An investigation alleges some Zimbabwe broiler farmers are illegally mixing human ARVs into chicken feed and water to cut deaths and speed growth—raising serious concerns over residues and antimicrobial resistance. SME Capital Push: ZSE says ZEEX is now live to connect entrepreneurs with investors and support brokers, accountants and regulators to widen access to funding. Fintech Sandbox: SECZ approved seven fintech projects for supervised testing, with tokenization featuring in four of them. Border Trade Flow: ZIMRA moved to clear Beitbridge truck congestion, targeting backlog resolution within 24 hours if conditions hold. Green Industrialisation: UN and partners wrapped a workshop on innovative climate action to accelerate green industrialisation across Southern Africa, including Zimbabwe.

Lithium Value Addition: Zimbabwe’s first clean-energy lithium processing plant is now operating at Goromonzi, as the country pushes to stop raw mineral exports and move toward battery-grade materials. Inflation Watch: ZiG inflation eased to 3.2% in July, down from 4.7% in June, signalling improving price stability. Agri Resilience: ARDA delivered 120,054.49MT of summer cereals to GMB as El Niño risk prompts stronger grain reserves, with sorghum volumes highlighted. Rural Mechanisation: Government plans to roll out 35,000 tractors so every village gets at least one, aiming to boost productivity and spur local tractor assembly. Energy Transition: ZERA says solar adoption is shifting from emergency backup to cost and ESG-driven investment, while a Gandavaroyi solar mini-grid project is bringing power to schools, clinics and homes. Industrial Skills & Data: UN-backed M&E training stresses evidence-based planning for NDS2 and Vision 2030. Competition Oversight: CTC begins investigating Mega Market’s proposed takeover of Lobels Holdings. Consumer & Business: Afdis reports 47% first-quarter revenue growth on stronger demand and improved retail availability. Property Investment: Old Mutual Development REIT unveils a US$46.2m pipeline, reflecting rising institutional interest in Zimbabwe real estate.

Lithium Value-Add Push: Zimbabwe’s clean-energy lithium processing plant is now operating, as the country doubles down on stopping raw mineral exports and even eyeing lithium battery production. Rural Mechanisation: Government plans to roll out 35,000 tractors for 35,000 villages, with Village Business Units to shift subsistence farming into productive rural enterprises. Competition Watch: CTC has opened an investigation into Mega Market’s proposed takeover of Lobels Holdings, focusing on whether the deal could harm competition and the public interest. Tourism Strategy: The Tourism Ministry is running nationwide consultations for a US$5bn tourism strategy (NTSS 2026-2030), targeting heritage clusters, better access, product diversification and digital transformation. Energy Transition: ZERA says solar adoption is increasingly about cost control, reliability and ESG goals—not just power cuts. Mining-Community Finance: Blanket Mine injects another US$1.8m into the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust, lifting total contributions to over US$16.4m since 2012. Labour Policy: NECs are being urged to decentralise into provincial offices to improve access to wage setting, labour dispute resolution and compliance. Agriculture Innovation: Bubi farmers are urged to adopt climate-smart methods ahead of the summer season and a likely El Niño. Transport/Trade Friction: Beitbridge freight delays are blamed on Zimbabwe-side parking limits and slower clearing-agent processing, with SA’s border agencies saying their operations are functioning normally. Food Safety Red Flag: Reports say some Zimbabwean chicken farmers allegedly mix ARVs into feed for growth and disease protection—raising serious public health and drug-resistance concerns.

HIV & Food Safety: Zimbabwean broiler farmers are reportedly mixing black-market ARVs into chicken feed to boost growth, raising serious public health and drug-resistance concerns. AIDS Funding Shock: PEPFAR disruptions have led to 1,700 HIV service sites closing globally and 77,000 fewer children receiving treatment in 2025. Trade & Logistics: Zimra says Beitbridge truck delays are being tackled and the backlog is expected to clear within 24 hours; separate reports blame Zimbabwe-side parking constraints and abnormal-load congestion. Mining & Value Addition: Zimbabwe’s raw lithium ban is starting to pay off as processing ramps up; Sandawana lithium resources near 40 million tonnes, and NRZ/BBR have begun rail exports of lithium concentrate to Maputo. Energy & Rural Development: Nyanga Renewable Energy commissioned a hydro plant feeding the national grid and delivered clinics, school electrification and jobs in Ward 20. Industrial Policy: President Mnangagwa reaffirmed plans to make Zimbabwe a regional industrial hub, pushing green industrialisation, innovation and regional value chains. Water & Currency: Bulawayo will keep 72-hour water shedding due to ageing pumps despite better dam levels; RBZ says ZiG mono-currency adoption is now conditions-based, with foreign reserves and local-currency demand still lagging. Agriculture: Hybrid seed is driving cotton revival, while improved genetics is helping farmers rebuild output.

Labour Crunch in South Africa: Anti-migrant protests and tougher immigration enforcement have triggered a mass exodus of foreign workers, leaving farms and factories short-handed and leaving crops unpicked, with Zimbabweans among those returning home. Lithium Value Addition: Zimbabwe’s first clean-energy lithium processing plant is now running, as the country pushes to stop raw mineral exports and build battery-grade capacity; Mutapa Resources also secured US$300m for lithium development and outlined gold expansion targets. Mining Compliance Clash: Residents in Chipinge’s Christmas Pass allege a mining firm is defying an EMA stop order, raising fears over environmental damage and safety. Insurance Inclusion vs Retreat: Zimbabwe’s insurance uptake is lagging while other financial inclusion grows, with short-term and funeral policy books shrinking in the latest IPEC figures. Agriculture Under Climate Pressure: President Mnangagwa warns of possible below-normal rainfall linked to El Niño and urges drought-resistant, early-maturing crops. Water Infrastructure Funding Gap: A progress report flags hundreds of millions of US dollars still needed to complete the Gwayi-Shangani and Bulawayo bulk water system. Tourism Connectivity Boost: Air Zimbabwe’s Harare–London reboot is expected to lift horticulture and tourism demand, especially for time-sensitive exports. Competition Watch: Mega Market’s proposed takeover of Lobels Holdings is under CTC review, while Dairibord’s control battle continues between Delta and Varun. Industrialisation Push: Mnangagwa reaffirmed plans to accelerate manufacturing through infrastructure, green industry, innovation and regional value chains.

Industrial Policy Push: President Mnangagwa used the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo to reaffirm a drive toward a regional industrial hub, stressing infrastructure, green industrialisation, innovation, value addition and trade. Competition Watch: Mega Market’s proposed 100% takeover of Lobels Holdings is under Competition and Tariff Commission review, while Delta vs Varun Beverages’ fight for Dairibord is also drawing regulatory attention over merger-control rules. Mining & Value Addition: Mutapa Energy says Sandawana lithium resources are nearing 40m tonnes (JORC on Block A), and NRZ/BBR have started rail exports of 1,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate to Maputo Port. Rail & Logistics: The NRZ/transport conference coverage flags border chaos as a major cost to regional trade, with long queues at key crossings. Manufacturing Turnaround: Hwange Colliery commissioned a rehabilitated coke oven battery after an 11-year gap, aiming to strengthen steel inputs. Currency & Skills: RBZ says ZiG’s sole-currency move is now conditions-based (reserves and demand), and Zimbabwe’s aviation sector faces a pilot/controller skills drain. Water & Governance: Bulawayo keeps 72-hour water shedding due to ageing pumping systems, while Parliament’s Bulawayo workshops target stronger public finance oversight. Food & Consumer Demand: A feature argues Zimbabwe must build SME growth and formalise the “missing middle,” and another spotlights how boosting goat value chains needs real consumer demand.

Industrial Policy & Growth: Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector is tipped to hit the US$1bn mark by 2030 as a new survey presented at ZICE 2026 shows output and GDP contribution rising, with firms increasingly investing in machinery, upgrades and export competitiveness. Youth Skills & Jobs: Government hailed the Skills for Youth Resilience Project after 152 graduates completed accredited vocational training in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, with emphasis on practical skills for self-employment and business growth. Trade & Border Infrastructure: VP Mohadi commissioned the Kasambabezi Border Post in Binga, boosting immigration and Zimra systems with solar backup and internet connectivity to unlock legitimate cross-border trade. Mining & Finance: Mutapa Gold secured a US$125m syndicated loan from local banks for Shamva Hill and Jena expansion, while MER confirmed 39.9m tonnes of lithium resources at Sandawana. Energy Investment Push: Zimbabwe seeks over US$9bn for energy expansion, relying on private capital and new rules to attract independent power and grid investment. Regional Business Risk: South Africa’s crackdown on illegal immigration is putting cross-border transporters—especially on the DRC route—under pressure, threatening regional logistics flows. Capital Markets Reform: Zimbabwe moves to deepen capital markets to unlock SME growth through ZEEX and related reforms. International Development Finance: Zimbabwe was admitted as a borrowing member of the BRICS New Development Bank, opening a new pipeline for infrastructure and industrial projects.

Mining Finance: Zimbabwean banks have syndicated US$125m to back Mutapa Gold’s Shamva Hill and Jena Mine expansion, a major vote of confidence in local mining finance. Energy Push: Government is seeking over US$9bn for energy expansion, banking on private capital and new rules to cut power shortages and speed industrialisation. Solar Growth Tracking: ZERA says it will survey with ZIMSTAT to measure how much electricity demand is now being met by privately funded solar systems. BRICS Development Funding: Zimbabwe has joined the BRICS New Development Bank as a borrowing member, aiming to unlock long-term financing for infrastructure, energy and industrial projects. Capital Markets for SMEs: Zimbabwe is moving to deepen capital markets via ZEEX to help SMEs access finance and scale beyond traditional bank limits. Industrial Recovery: Research presented at ZICE 2026 says manufacturing is shifting from survival to strategic growth, with more investment in upgrades and export competitiveness. Critical Minerals Exports: Mineral export earnings jumped 84% to a record US$2.532bn in H1 2026, led by PGMs and lithium products, including first lithium sulphate shipments. Agriculture Policy: A policy push argues agriculture must be repositioned as the foundation of industrial recovery, linking production to manufacturing, finance and exports. Regional Migration Pressure: Reports highlight Zimbabweans fleeing South Africa amid xenophobic violence, with returnees needing support systems. Trade & Logistics Reality Check: A regional transport study estimates cross-border disruption costs South Africa up to R16bn a year, with long delays at key gateways.

Industrial Policy Push: President Mnangagwa used the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo to call for faster local manufacturing and mineral beneficiation, naming sectors like lithium, cement, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, leather, dairy, grains, logistics and packaging. Trade Finance & Energy: Afreximbank says its Africa Trade Gateway helped complete a US$5.3m cross-border gasoil deal for a Zimbabwean importer, showing how digital trade ecosystems can unlock regional commerce. Capital Markets for SMEs: Bulawayo launched the Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange (ZEEX) to widen investment access for SMEs and revive the city’s historic stock exchange role. Mining & Value Addition: Caledonia Mining reported new gold mineralisation potential at Blanket, while Zimbabwe’s lithium push continues with new resources and export supply-chain moves. Border Infrastructure: VP Mohadi is set to commission the Kasambabezi Border Post in Binga, aimed at safer, regulated trade and reduced smuggling. Labour & Skills: The Educators Union of Zimbabwe urged government to create a framework for registering and re-employing teachers returning from South Africa after xenophobic attacks. Youth Empowerment: A Chitungwiza youth group received Chinese Embassy-backed vocational equipment to expand sewing and baking training tied to income and crime prevention. Logistics Cost Warning: A transport study estimates cross-border disruption at R15–R16bn a year for key SADC gateways, with delays running into days.

Industrial Policy Push: President Mnangagwa officially opened the inaugural Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo, urging faster value addition, import substitution and beneficiation across sectors like iron and steel, lithium, cement, pharmaceuticals, tobacco and dairy. Lithium & Mining Updates: Mutapa Energy Resources confirmed a JORC-compliant 39.9 million-tonne lithium resource at Sandawana (covering only 30% of its claim), while Caledonia’s Blanket mine says surface drilling has identified a new gold orebody about 200m east of the current underground target. Finance & Agriculture: POSB declared a record US$5.14m dividend for 2026, citing transformation, growth in loans and deposits, and funding support including agricultural mechanisation; Government also started climate-smart dairy support with drought-tolerant fodder banks and resilient forage seed. Trade & Exports: Zimbabwe exported its first batch of blueberries to China as a new market opens, and lithium exports were reported at US$746m in the first half of 2026. Infrastructure & Roads: Bulawayo says road repairs need about US$700m as deferred maintenance bites, while a contractor on the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway launched an anti-litter drive on a key tourism corridor. Business & Services: AURUM expands with a new Harare CBD branch and upgrades its flagship facility, and Zimbabwe’s MICE sector is getting a boost as Government highlights growth in conferencing facilities. Agriculture Show: ZAS targets 630 exhibitors for the 116th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, running Aug 24–29.