馃嚳馃嚰ZimbabweSouthern Africa
Mining as Zimbabwe's growth engine: From extraction to transformation
via NewsDay Zimbabwe7 min read
Zimbabwe, rich in mineral resources like lithium, gold, coal, chrome, and diamonds, has traditionally focused on exporting raw materials. However, the article argues that true national prosperity comes from adding value to these minerals, not just extracting them. This involves developing engineering expertise, manufacturing jobs, logistics, processing, equipment maintenance, and technological innovation. Successful resource-rich nations demonstrate that mining can stimulate growth beyond the mine itself, creating demand for skills development, financial services, water management, and energy infrastructure. The article emphasizes that mining should be viewed as an ecosystem, not a standalone industry, requiring strong leadership to develop human capital, create long-term stakeholder value, and build resilient supply chains. Technology, including artificial intelligence, digital twinning, and remote monitoring, is reshaping the industry. Zimbabwe has an opportunity to build complete value chains by focusing on mineral processing, local supplier development, and research partnerships. The upcoming 28th edition of Mine Entra, Zimbabwe鈥檚 premier Mining, Engineering, and Transport Expo, themed "Unearth, transform, prosper: anchoring economic transformation through mining value chains," aims to be a catalyst for economic growth and industrialization. Mine Entra encourages local manufacturers and suppliers, reducing dependency on foreign imports and contributing to GDP growth. It a
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Zimbabwe's property market is being hampered by a severe shortage of long-term mortgage finance, according to Mike Juru, chairperson of the Real Estate Investment Trust REIT. Juru stated that the inability to offer 25-year mortgages is a significant structural barrier to growth, preventing developers from fully capitalizing on the increasing demand for housing and commercial properties. He emphasized that property is a long-term investment requiring long-term financing, which is currently unavailable. This situation forces the property market to rely heavily on cash buyers, corporations, and wealthy investors, limiting its broader economic contribution. Economists suggest that robust mortgage markets stimulate investment across various sectors, including cement, steel manufacturing, banking, insurance, engineering, and construction. Juru highlighted that restoring investor confidence necessitates not only expanded bank lending but also long-term certainty regarding Zimbabwe's monetary framework. He welcomed recent assurances from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe concerning the future of the Zimbabwe Gold ZiG currency, noting that policy consistency is crucial for rebuilding trust among lenders and investors. Industry executives argue that confidence will ultimately be measured by banks offering affordable mortgages with repayment periods comparable to those in more developed markets, which would unlock billions in investment, expand home ownership, and deepen capital markets.
Must ReadChinese Ambassador Zhou Ding affirmed China's unwavering support for Zimbabwe's ruling party, Zanu PF, during a roundtable discussion in Harare marking the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China CPC. The ambassador highlighted the historical "revolutionary kinship" between the CPC and Zanu PF, forged during Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, with China providing military, material, and diplomatic support. President E.D. Mnangagwa extended congratulations to President Xi Jinping on the CPC's anniversary, acknowledging the deepening China-Zimbabwe relations. The event served as a platform for mutual learning on party building and state governance, reinforcing the long-standing friendship. Ambassador Ding emphasized the CPC's role in China's modernization and global peace, attributing the country's economic growth and social stability to the CPC's leadership. He also discussed Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building, which includes "Fourteen Insistences" on strengthening party leadership, self-reform, and a people-centered approach. The CPC shares its experience in party building and cadre training, with over 100 Zanu PF cadres annually attending training in China or Tanzania, and CPC expert delegations visiting Zimbabwe. Ambassador Ding reiterated that China does not export development models and supports Zanu PF in pursuing an independent development path tailored to Zimbabwe's conditions. He also touched on the CPC's commitment to people's well-being, strategic foresight
A new report, "The Contemporary Features and Global Significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building," released in early July 2026, examines how the Communist Party of China understands the connection between political leadership, state capacity, modernization, and national development. The report suggests that party building is crucial for national governance, economic transformation, social stability, and long-term strategic planning. While not a direct blueprint, it offers principles like institutional discipline, anti-corruption, meritocratic governance, strategic planning, and people-centered development that can be adapted by countries in the Global South, particularly in Africa. Key messages include the idea that a ruling party must govern itself effectively to govern a nation, strong leadership needs strong institutions, and legitimacy increasingly comes from performance and development results rather than historical liberation. The report also emphasizes scientific long-term planning, competence in cadre selection, institutional anti-corruption measures, political education, party building supporting economic transformation, technology as a governance tool, and a people-centered approach to governance. Examples from Rwanda, Botswana, Tanzania, and Ethiopia are cited as African countries demonstrating elements of institutional development that resonate with the report's principles. The article, authored by Saxon Zvina, principal consultant at Skyworld Consultancy