🇿🇼ZimbabweSouthern Africa
Zida boss highlights biomass energy potential from agricultural and industrial waste
via NewsDay Zimbabwe5 min read
Tafadzwa Chinamo, chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency Zida, has urged increased investment in biomass and biogas production, stating that Zimbabwe can gain carbon credits and climate financing through waste-to-energy projects. Speaking at the Rural Industrialisation and Economic Empowerment Indaba during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, Chinamo noted that agricultural and industrial waste in Zimbabwe offers significant potential for biomass and biogas energy conversion. He indicated that biomass and biogas plants of 5MW to 10MW could be developed with capital ranging from US$6 million to US$12 million, providing sustainable energy, reducing energy costs, and displacing diesel or grid power. Chinamo emphasized that Zida supports circular economy investments through feedstock agreements, licensing facilitation, and investor engagement to enhance economic resilience. He also highlighted opportunities in eco-tourism, suggesting that mid-market eco-lodges and adventure tourism projects could yield returns of 17% to 24% and create 80 to 150 direct jobs. Zida is facilitating tourism public-private partnerships, improving land access, and connecting investors to opportunities to unlock rural tourism potential. Chinamo stressed the need to incentivize rural industrialization based on regional resources and climate conditions, advocating for industries supported by renewable energy, leveraging historical sites for rural tourism, and establish
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