
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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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
Must ReadZimbabwe has secured duty-free access to the Chinese market for nearly 9,000 product categories under Beijing鈥檚 Pre-Early Harvest Initiative. This arrangement, effective from May 1, 2026, until April 30, 2028, allows qualifying Zimbabwean exports to enter China duty-free under 8,949 tariff lines. Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Soda Zhemu stated that this initiative stems from commitments made by China during the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Zimbabwe has completed the administrative requirements, with ZimTrade issuing certificates of origin and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority verifying compliance. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amon Murwira noted that the removal of import duties will make Zimbabwean products more competitive in China, but exporters must still meet China鈥檚 stringent regulatory and phytosanitary requirements. The government plans to continue bilateral negotiations during this two-year period to secure a permanent preferential trade agreement after the Pre-Early Harvest Initiative expires.
Must ReadA United Nations report, "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026," reveals that healthy diets are unaffordable for approximately 2.7 billion people globally. In 2025, 645 million people worldwide experienced hunger. The report, compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO, International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD, UNICEF, World Food Programme WFP, and World Health Organization WHO, indicates that between 3.5 million and 4.2 million Zimbabweans were undernourished in 2025, representing about one in four people. Over half of Zimbabwean households faced moderate or severe food insecurity due to the 2024 El Ni帽o-induced drought and high food inflation. The cost of a healthy diet in Zimbabwe is 2.5 to three times that of a basic maize meal-based diet, making nutritious foods like meat, dairy, fruit, and vegetables inaccessible to many. This has led to child stunting remaining above 25% and rising micronutrient deficiencies. Across Africa, an estimated 298 million people experienced hunger in 2025, and over 1 billion Africans could not afford a healthy diet. The FAO attributes high food prices to conflict, climate shocks, debt burdens, and reliance on food imports. The five UN agencies urge governments to focus beyond food production by making nutritious diets more affordable through subsidies, increased investment in local agriculture, and expanded social protection programs.

Mutapa Gold has upgraded its laboratory facilities. This enhancement aims to reduce exploration expenses and improve investor confidence in the company's operations. The upgrade is expected to streamline processes and provide more efficient analysis, contributing to better resource management and attracting further investment.