HARARE – Businessman Wicknell Chivhayo has praised the government’s “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra following the signing of a landmark investment deal with Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, calling it a pivotal moment in the nation’s economic revival.
In a post on his X account, Chivhayo described Zimbabwe’s current economic climate as unprecedented, asserting that the country has entered a new chapter under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. According to him, investors are displaying unprecedented confidence in Zimbabwe’s prospects, signaling a shift from decades of economic uncertainty to a period of tangible growth and opportunity.
“We are no longer knocking on the doors of opportunity; we are building the mansion of prosperity right here in Harare,” Chivhayo wrote. “I’ve travelled the world, sat in boardrooms from Dubai to Beijing, but the energy in Zimbabwe right now is unmatched. Investors are lining up because the Second Republic is delivering tangible, visible results.”
Chivhayo highlighted that the government’s economic strategy goes beyond the mere extraction of natural resources such as gold, platinum, and lithium. Instead, it emphasises value addition, industrialisation, and job creation, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s resources translate into broader socio-economic benefits. He pointed to Dangote’s pledge of over US$1 billion in investment as a definitive vote of confidence in the country’s reforms.
“That’s Zimbabwe rising. ZIDA is working overtime. Red tape? Gone. Investor protection? Guaranteed. With our educated workforce, strategic location, and natural wealth, we’re not just competing — we’re dominating,” Chivhayo said.
The investment, which will see Dangote establish a cement manufacturing, coal mining, and power generation complex, represents one of the largest foreign direct investments in Zimbabwe in recent years. Analysts say the project could boost industrial capacity, create thousands of jobs, and signal to other international investors that Zimbabwe is a stable and promising market.
Wicknell Chivhayo Hails Dangote Investment as a Turning Point for Zimbabwe’s Economy
Chivhayo encouraged critics to discard outdated perceptions of Zimbabwe’s economic landscape, arguing that the crises of 2008 bear little resemblance to today’s reality.
“This is 2025. This is ED’s Zimbabwe. If you’re not investing now, you’ll be buying in later at a premium. I don’t just talk, I walk the talk. I invest. I believe. I build. And I will continue to support the President’s vision with everything I’ve got. Because when Zimbabwe wins, we all win. God bless Zimbabwe. God bless President ED. And God bless the hustle.”
His remarks underscore a broader narrative being promoted by the government and private sector champions: that policy reforms, investor-friendly regulations, and strategic development plans are creating a conducive environment for business growth. The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) has been credited with reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, ensuring investor protection, and streamlining licensing and regulatory procedures to attract both local and international investment.
Dangote’s US$1 billion investment is expected to have far-reaching impacts on Zimbabwe’s industrial sector. The project will incorporate a cement plant, limestone quarry and grinding unit, coal mine, and a power station, aiming to strengthen Zimbabwe’s infrastructure, reduce import dependency, and expand employment opportunities.
Economists note that this initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, which seeks to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy through industrialisation, sustainable development, and participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By leveraging its natural resources and strategic location, Zimbabwe hopes to position itself as a regional industrial hub.
For Chivhayo, the Dangote deal validates the government’s strategy and demonstrates the potential for ambitious private-sector investment to drive national growth. He has built a reputation as an entrepreneur who invests across multiple sectors and advocates for policies that enhance Zimbabwe’s competitiveness on the global stage.
“We are no longer waiting for opportunities to come knocking,” he said. “We are creating them. Zimbabwe is a land of opportunity, and the time to act is now. Investors are seeing what we have always known: this is a country with limitless potential, a skilled workforce, and the determination to succeed.”
As the nation welcomes Dangote’s investment, the partnership is expected to send a strong signal to other international business leaders that Zimbabwe’s reforms are real, enforceable, and conducive to long-term growth.
In a time when African economies compete for global investment, the Wicknell Chivhayo–Aliko Dangote narrative is more than just a business deal; it represents a turning point in Zimbabwe’s economic journey, demonstrating that with vision, strategy, and execution, the country can translate potential into prosperity.
The deal is being hailed as a milestone for the Second Republic, one that could inspire confidence, spark industrial growth, and establish Zimbabwe as a credible player on the continent’s economic stage.
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Source- Byo24
