Source: Mat North emerges as strategic growth corridor – herald
Rutendo Nyeve
Victoria Falls Reporter
MATABELELAND North is increasingly consolidating its position as one of Zimbabwe’s most strategic economic frontiers, with an estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about US$3 billion and a surge of new investments worth approximately US$9 billion recorded over the past year.
The performance underlines the province’s growing national importance as a tourism powerhouse, mining hub, energy corridor and agricultural frontier, aligned with the Vision 2030 agenda to build an upper-middle-income economy.
The province borders Zambia and Botswana, making it a critical gateway for regional commerce and tourism.
Officially, opening the 2026-2030 Strategic Planning Workshop for Matabeleland North in Victoria Falls on Thursday, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo said the province’s economic momentum reflects the impact of devolution, infrastructure development and rising investor confidence.
“As at December 2025, Matabeleland North recorded a GDP estimated at approximately US$3 billion, supported by strong activity in agriculture, mining, tourism and related value chains,” he said.
Minister Moyo said the scale of new investments, which is estimated at US$9 billion in a single year, marks growing confidence in the province’s long-term role in driving national growth.
“These investments span mining expansions, tourism facilities in Victoria Falls and Hwange, renewable and conventional energy projects, as well as agro-based and value-addition initiatives,” he said.
At national level, the province hosts some of the country’s most critical economic assets, including Hwange Thermal Power Station, the country’s largest power producer, Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls, a global tourism icon and vast mineral and agricultural land.
In mining, Matabeleland North is endowed with coal, methane gas, gold and other minerals, supporting the Government’s push for value addition and industrialisation.
Minister Moyo said flagship infrastructure projects are reinforcing Matabeleland North’s status as a key economic corridor linking Zimbabwe to the region.
“We are particularly grateful for the commencement of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation, a transformative project that will enhance connectivity, stimulate trade and tourism, reduce the cost of doing business and strengthen the province’s contribution to the national economy,” he said.
The minister credited President Mnangagwa’s infrastructure-led development thrust for unlocking investment and accelerating economic activity across the province.
“These developments are already inspiring investor confidence and positioning Matabeleland North as a preferred investment destination,” he said.
The minister noted that beyond headline investment figures, the devolution programme has empowered communities to participate more directly in development initiatives, aligning local priorities with national goals.
“The year 2025 marked continued progress in the implementation of devolution and decentralisation. Communities are increasingly taking ownership of development,” he said.
However, Minister Moyo cautioned that sustaining growth requires coordination and unity among stakeholders.
“While notable progress has been achieved, the full potential of Matabeleland North can only be unlocked through unity, effective coordination and unconditional collaboration,” he said.
Minister Moyo urged public officials to embrace the Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society Approach, emphasising professionalism, integrity and servant leadership to ensure development translates into improved livelihoods.
“As we plan for 2026-2030, we must be honest in our assessments, realistic in our planning and bold in our strategies. The outcomes of this workshop must deliver tangible results for our people,” he said.
The strategic planning workshop is expected to produce a comprehensive implementation roadmap, aligning provincial priorities with National Development Strategy 2 (2026-2030) and Vision 2030.
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