Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: ‘Let’s do more business with Tanzania’ – herald

Edward Zvemisha

Herald Reporter

ZIMBABWE and Tanzania are broadening their bilateral agenda to prioritise economic integration, targeting joint ventures in agriculture, mining, dairy production and human capital development, alongside women’s empowerment programmes, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.

Minister Mutsvangwa revealed the new push yesterday after holding talks with Tanzanian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Susan Kaganda, who paid a courtesy call at her offices in Harare.

“It is important that businesses that operate in Zimbabwe and Tanzania can be in partnerships and transform the lives of our people.

“There are a lot of things which we can learn from each other,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

At the heart of the discussions was grassroots financial empowerment. Minister Mutsvangwa expressed particular interest in Tanzania’s Village Community Bank (VICOBA) model, a successful community-led savings and financing scheme that has mobilised resources at the village level.

She disclosed that Zimbabwe is actively exploring the establishment of a cooperative banking facility to help women, youths, and small-scale entrepreneurs conduct transactions safely and conveniently.

The initiative, she added, will require close engagement with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to strengthen financial inclusion for marginalised groups.

“We want to create a conducive environment where our women, our youths, and people with disabilities can work with those in Tanzania,” she said.

Beyond finance, the two countries are eyeing increased exchange programmes to transfer technical expertise in mining, agriculture, and dairy production.

Minister Mutsvangwa noted that Zimbabwean women farmers could learn valuable lessons from their Tanzanian counterparts on scaling up production.

“We want to see what our women farmers are doing, to see how we can scale up production,” she said.

The Minister also raised concerns over traditional cooking methods that expose families to harmful smoke from firewood and cow dung.

She revealed that her Ministry is planning a symposium to raise awareness on the health effects of such practices, while advocating for a rapid shift towards renewable energy.

With Africa enjoying abundant sunshine, she argued that nations must increasingly explore clean energy solutions to improve household health and productivity.

“We want a healthy nation. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” she said.

The Minister applauded Tanzania’s progress in renewable energy as a benchmark for Zimbabwe, recalling her participation in a side event led by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

In a broader reflection on gender progress, Minister Mutsvangwa highlighted that the SADC region is the only bloc in Africa with two female Heads of State — Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

“SADC is very proud because we are the only region in Africa with two female presidents,” she said.

Ambassador Kaganda echoed the Minister’s sentiments, saying women remain central to household economic wellbeing and that empowering them financially has a direct impact on family growth and stability.

She said Tanzania is keen to deepen the exchange of ideas and skills with Zimbabwe, with cooperation extending beyond women’s empowerment to sectors such as mining, agriculture, and dairy production.

The Ambassador also highlighted Tanzania’s cooperative development experience, including the establishment of a cooperative bank, as a valuable knowledge-sharing opportunity for Zimbabwe.

While acknowledging that financial constraints remain a hurdle to implementing some proposed programmes, Ambassador Kaganda expressed optimism that stronger bilateral cooperation could help overcome these challenges.

She called for greater trade between ordinary people and businesses, saying products available in Tanzania should find markets in Zimbabwe and vice versa.

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Source: Vic Falls hosts major African solar meeting – herald

Bulawayo Bureau

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa are expected to attend the official opening of the 8th International Solar Alliance Regional Africa Committee Meeting in Victoria Falls tomorrow.

The high-level meeting, which brings together representatives from about 40 countries, started yesterday and was preceded by project visits and a press conference.

This meeting is expected to produce several key outcomes, including Zimbabwe becoming the 11th African country to sign the Africa Solar Facility and the signing of the Zimbabwe Declaration, which prioritises the use of solar energy in agriculture.

ISA, a multilateral institution of the Global South headquartered in India and comprising 128-member countries, is organising the meeting in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Power Development on behalf of Zimbabwe.

Speaking at a press conference in Victoria Falls yesterday, Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo, who addressed the media alongside ISA director-general Mr Ashish Khanna, said solar energy was critical to addressing energy challenges worsened by climate change.

“As Zimbabwe, we feel honoured that you chose us to host this regular meeting that you hold in Africa. We feel that holding this at this opportune time when we are talking about energy and all sources of energy is very good for us so that we can push our solar energy as part of our mix,” he said.

Minister Moyo said Zimbabwe wanted to increase the contribution of solar and other renewable energy sources to the national electricity mix, with a target of 27 percent by 2030.

“We were having a balance with thermal at 55 percent and hydro at 45 percent, but we are happy that this meeting must give us an impetus to move our solar energy and other renewables to the desired level within 27 percent of the total supply of electricity in this country by 2030,” he said.

The official opening will be followed by a closing ceremony in which the First Lady is expected to participate.

ISA director-general Mr Khanna said Africa had reached a stage where it needed to move beyond discussions and accelerate actual deployment of solar power.

“It is great that Zimbabwe will host more than 45 countries of Africa coming together.

“We are seeing a huge increase in solarisation of countries and Africa itself has increased use of solar by 200 percent in the first six months of this year,” he said.

He said solar power had become increasingly attractive because of its declining cost, climate benefits and ability to be deployed in decentralised systems such as rooftop  installations.

“Africa is now ready not only for talks but for actually going big. In the next three days we will be releasing a flagship report on solarisation in Africa, not about what needs to be done but how Africa can take leadership because we believe Africa now has momentum, strong political will and strong endeavour to lead,” said Mr Khanna.

A major highlight of the meeting will be the signing of the Africa Solar Facility involving ISA, Africa50 and the Nigerian Investment Authority.

The financing vehicle is expected to support African private-sector entrepreneurs investing in decentralised solar projects.

Mr Khanna said Africa needed to strengthen its own capacity to develop and implement solutions to its energy challenges.

He said a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre, designed as a centre of excellence, would also be opened in Zimbabwe.

Despite Africa’s vast solar potential, the continent continues to face a significant financing gap.

Mr Khanna said about US$2 trillion was spent globally on clean energy last year, but only two percent of that investment came to Africa, despite the continent accounting for about 60 percent of global solar potential and around 600 million Africans lacking access to electricity.

He said stronger partnerships between governments, financiers, businesses and local communities were therefore required to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy.

“This requires country partnership frameworks because this requires strategy, policy and financing and local people to implement, so we will be signing a country partnership with Zimbabwe and Senegal and Seychelles,” he said.

Agriculture will also be a major focus of the meeting, with the ISA seeking to promote solar-powered irrigation and other renewable-energy applications in the agricultural sector.

Mr Khanna said food security could be strengthened through the increased use of solar energy, particularly given the low level of irrigation across Africa.

“Food security requires solarisation and so we want to have a target of one million solar farms for Africa because only 4 percent of arable land is irrigated hence countries will sign the Zimbabwe Declaration prioritising solarisation of agriculture,” he said.

The agreements and initiatives being pursued during the meeting are expected to help expand Africa’s pipeline of solar projects while strengthening local expertise in policy development, regulation, procurement and private-sector participation.

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Source: Govt digs in on lithium sulphate directive – herald

Oliver Kazunga

Senior Reporter

ZIMBABWE’S lithium producers have until January 2027 to establish lithium sulphate plants, with Government making compliance a condition for advancing to the next stage of processing towards battery manufacturing.

The deadline represents a major test for the country’s drive to extract greater value from its lithium resources, with authorities insisting that producers first meet the immediate processing requirement before the country moves to more advanced stages of beneficiation.

At present, Zimbabwe has five active lithium mines: Gwanda Lithium Company — Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) — Bikita Minerals — Sabi Star Lithium Mine-and Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ), which has established a US$400 million lithium sulphate plant and is already exporting the product.

The plant has an installed capacity of 80 000 tonnes annually.

Bikita Minerals, which is also owned by another Chinese firm, Sinomine, is reportedly investing in local beneficiation with a US$500 million lithium sulphate plant.

In an interview yesterday, Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura said the Government was concentrating on ensuring lithium companies comply with the existing directive before considering further beneficiation.

“For now, we have mandated the companies to do lithium sulphate, so we are looking forward to them complying with that directive.

“So, if you have been following up, by January 2027, the companies should have set up lithium sulphate plants; then thereafter, we can now speak of further beneficiation.

“We cannot talk of it now; we want them to comply first with this Government directive of setting up lithium sulphate plants, so this is the work that we are following up at the moment and the good example is that Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe has set up a lithium sulphate plant,” said Dr Kambamura.

This position effectively puts lithium producers on notice that Government will first assess compliance with the lithium sulphate requirement before opening discussions on more sophisticated downstream processing.

Zimbabwe, which holds some of Africa’s largest lithium reserves and ranks among the world’s key producers, is positioning the mineral as a central pillar of its mining-led industrialisation and energy transition strategy.

The country has attracted more than US$3,4 billion in investment into lithium mining in recent years, with major Chinese investors developing operations and processing facilities.

The investment pipeline comprises US$2 billion already deployed and a further US$1,45 billion earmarked for value-addition projects, positioning Zimbabwe to deepen its role in global battery mineral supply chains.

The Government’s policy has increasingly focused on ensuring the growing investments translate into greater domestic value addition — employment — industrial activity — and export earnings.

Data from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) indicates that the country earned US$746 million from lithium sales in the first half of this year, split predominantly between spodumene concentrates (US$672,8 million) — and early higher-value lithium sulphate shipments (US$73,2 million).

Lithium sulphate is an inorganic salt primarily used in producing lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, as well as manufacturing specialised glass and ceramics, and treating bipolar disorder.

It acts as a precursor for lithium hydroxide, enhances the performance of batteries, and acts as a flux to lower melting temperatures in glass production.

Production is projected to reach 344 000 tonnes of lithium sulphate at peak output, strengthening Zimbabwe’s ambition to become a major global hub for battery mineral processing.

The January 2027 deadline is therefore expected to be a key milestone in determining the extent to which the lithium industry is moving from extraction towards local processing.

The setting up of a lithium sulphate plant by PLZ has been commended by the Government as a positive example of compliance with the directive.

PLZ operates the Arcadia lithium mine in Goromonzi District, Mashonaland East Province — and is backed by Chinese battery materials giant, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt.

The development comes as Zimbabwe seeks to position itself higher up the global lithium value chain, particularly as demand for the mineral remains closely linked to batteries, electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.

Dr Kambamura said the Government was not yet ready to provide details on the next stage of processing.

“It’s too early to tell that; for now, we are sticking to the directive that we gave them as Government.”

The phased approach means lithium producers should first establish the required sulphate processing capacity before authorities consider additional downstream processing requirements.

This could ultimately pave the way for Zimbabwe to develop a more integrated lithium value chain, although such a transformation will require significant investment in processing technology, energy, infrastructure and skills.

The lithium policy is part of the Government’s broader mineral beneficiation strategy, which seeks to ensure that Zimbabwe retains a larger proportion of the value generated from its mineral resources.

The push is particularly significant for lithium, which has rapidly emerged as one of the country’s most important mineral investment sectors.

Zimbabwe introduced restrictions on the export of unprocessed lithium ore in 2022, seeking to encourage local processing and discourage the country from simply exporting its mineral wealth.

The subsequent emphasis on lithium sulphate represents another step in that policy direction.

It is believed that the January 2027 deadline will not only be about establishing processing plants — but also for lithium producers to demonstrate that their operations are aligned with the Government’s industrialisation agenda.

The deadline could also influence future investment decisions in the sector, with investors expected to factor local processing requirements into the development of new lithium projects.

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Source: Dairibord revenue climbs to US$82,6 million on strong demand – herald

Sikhulekelani Moyo, sikhu.moyo@chronicle.co.zw

DAIRIBORD Holdings recorded strong growth in volumes and profitability during the six months to June 30, 2026, buoyed by capacity expansion, robust domestic demand and disciplined cost management.

In a statement accompanying the group’s reviewed condensed consolidated financial statements, chairman Mr Nobert Chiromo said consolidated sales volumes rose 26 percent to 78,3 million litres from 62 million litres during the corresponding period last year, while raw milk utilisation remained broadly unchanged at 20,4 million litres.

Beverages continued to be the group’s dominant business segment, contributing 67 percent of total sales volumes.

The portfolio recorded a 33 percent year-on-year increase, rising to 52,8 million litres from 39,6 million litres.

“All beverage lines recorded growth, with Quench cordial achieving an exceptional 82 percent increase compared to prior year,” said Mr Chiromo.

He said strategic capital investment at the Simon Mazorodze factory unlocked additional production capacity for bottled Cascade, resulting in a 68 percent increase in volumes.

“Fun n Fresh and Pfuko Maheu grew by 56 percent and 43 percent respectively. Pfuko also benefitted from capacity expansion at the Chitungwiza plant, which enhanced production capability and product availability,” he added.

The foods category delivered the group’s second-highest growth rate, with sales volumes climbing 30 percent to 7,3 million litres.

Mr Chiromo said the performance was driven by strong demand across several product lines, with bulk ice cream increasing by 80 percent, salad cream by 72 percent, Yogie drinking yoghurt by 42 percent and Yummy Yoghurt by 25 percent.

He also noted that liquid milk volumes posted moderate growth, rising eight percent to 18,2 million litres.

“Category expansion was constrained by raw milk supply rather than market demand,” Mr Chiromo said, adding that Steri Milk registered 72 percent year-on-year growth after beneftting from additional production capacity at the newly commissioned Chipinge facility in December.

The group said export volumes declined by 30 percent as production was strategically redirected to satisfy strong domestic demand across all product categories, ensuring consistent market availability and supporting growth in the local market.

On the financial front, Dairibord Holdings recorded a 28 percent increase in revenue to US$82,56 million from US$64,32 million, supported by higher volumes as well as a more stable pricing and currency environment.

Revenue from the South African operation grew 38 percent to US$0,72 million from US$0,52 million, while the cost of sales increased 25 percent to US$60,87 million.

“Gross profit increased 37 percent to US$21,69 million from US$15,78 million, reflecting the benefit of higher volumes together with disciplined management of raw and packaging material

costs,” said Mr Chiromo.

“Operating expenses grew slower than revenue. Selling and distribution expenses were up 16 percent to US$10,14 million and administration expenses up 35 percent to US$6,03 million.

“As a result, operating profit more than doubled to US$5,54 million from US$2,76 million. Finance costs rose to US$1,15 million from US$0,72 million due to borrowings for capex and working capital.”

Mr Chiromo said sustainability continued to underpin the group’s long-term growth strategy as it seeks to strengthen operational efficiency and secure raw milk supplies.

“We continue to focus on reducing our environmental footprint through improved energy and water efficiency, responsible waste management and recycling, while investing in the resilience and development of dairy farmers who are critical to our raw milk supply,” said Mr Chiromo.

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Source: Zim, Karo sign landmark deal – herald

Debra Matabvu

Senior Reporter

THE Second Republic is strengthening investor confidence and accelerating the exploitation of the country’s vast mineral wealth by providing the legal certainty and investment security needed to turn the country’s resources into jobs, economic growth and tangible benefits for communities, President Mnangagwa has said.

The President said this after witnessing the signing of a 25-year Special Mining Lease Agreement between the Government and Karo Platinum (Private) Limited, part of Tharisa Plc, at State House in Harare yesterday.

Writing on his microblogging platform, X, President Mnangagwa said the agreement demonstrated Government’s commitment to unlocking the country’s mineral wealth while creating a predictable investment environment.

“Today (yesterday), I had the privilege of witnessing the signing of a landmark 25-year Special Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of Zimbabwe and Karo Platinum (part of Tharisa Plc),” he said.

“This major milestone secures long-term tenure over a 23 903-hectare mining area on our mineral-rich Great Dyke.

“This project is a direct outcome of the vision we launched in 2018. With over US$240 million already invested in plant establishment, mining fleets, water and power infrastructure, and community development, Phase 1 alone is set to create up to 1 000 jobs for our people.”

President Mnangagwa added that the fully compliant agreement—signed on behalf of the Government by Mines and Mining Development Minister Engineer Polite Kambamura and Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube—underscores the Second Republic’s commitment to transparency, legal certainty and investor security.

Karo Resources managing director Mr Bernie Pryor signed on behalf of the company.

“We are unlocking our nation’s vast mineral wealth to drive sustainable industrial growth, create decent employment, and uplift communities,” President Mnangagwa said.

The 25-year Special Mining Lease provides Karo Platinum with the long-term tenure and fiscal certainty required to commence its first production, expected in the second half of next year.

The agreement, granted under the Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter 21:05), establishes the fiscal and operational framework applicable to high-value, large-scale mining projects of national importance.

It also secures long-term tenure over the project’s 23 903-hectare mining area on the Great Dyke, providing certainty for both Zimbabwe and Karo Platinum.

At full production, Karo is expected to produce up to 226 000 ounces of platinum group metals (PGMs) annually, further strengthening Zimbabwe’s position as one of the world’s leading platinum producers.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Minister Kambamura said the agreement demonstrated that the country remained open for business and provided investors with security of tenure.

“Firstly, I would like to outline that this is what is granted in terms of our legislation.

“It confers a long-term lease to Karo Platinum with regards to the 23,903-hectare concession that they have.

“Also, it establishes the fiscal and operational framework which allows the company to get more funding for the establishment of the project.

“Finally, it provides that certainty that is needed by investors. So, this is actually a testament enough that Zimbabwe is open for business and security of tenure is provided.”

Minister Kambamura said Karo Platinum had also established a strong foundation through investments made in the country since the project was launched in 2018.

“The fact that Karo Platinum has been patient since 2018 when His Excellency made a ground-breaking settlement of the project means that there is patient money that has been waiting and the fact that they have waited for all these years building the project, is a strong foundation that they have built for long project implementation,” he said.

“As you have heard, the life of the mine is 50 plus years. So, to be able to live those 50 plus years, you need to build a strong foundation.

“Karo Platinum has done exactly that.”

Prof Ncube said the investment would help transform the mining area into a development hub.

“I am very pleased that they have invested so far US$240 million into this resource, developing the mine,” he said.

“They will be investing almost close to US$1 billion, at least in Phase One alone, which is just to be able to mine open cast.

“Then they will move on to Phase Two. So, more investment is going to come. But also, my interest is really the fiscal incentives that go with the special mining lease.”

Prof Ncube added that the Government had extended fiscal incentives, for Karo Platinum to be able to raise additional capital to keep investing in the mine and to make it more viable.

“They will be creating jobs. At their peak they will be employing around 3 000 people.

“They are going to be developing the whole area. Many cities should emerge out of their involvement and investment in the area,” said Prof Ncube.

He emphasised the fiscal incentives provided under the Special Mining Lease, including tax write-offs and employee exemptions, which are intended to enhance project viability and attract additional capital in the first five years to allow them to invest and recoup their money.

“We also support their employees with special tax exemptions so they can employ the best and be able to attract the best skills to work in these mines.

“But of course, in the same agreement, we do specify the royalties that they have to pay.

“As you know, for platinum, the royalty currently is 7 percent; that is very clear in the lease agreement that (it) ought to be met.

“So, we feel that it is the right combination of fiscal incentives to support this investment,” said Prof Ncube.

Karo Platinum country manager Mr Joe Zimba said the signing marked the conclusion of a de-risking period and ushered in a new phase for the project.

“What we have signed here is a special mining lease agreement that has been signed between the Government of Zimbabwe and Karo Platinum,” he said.

“What that does is provide security of tenure and also some fiscal support for the project, which is normal for projects of this magnitude.”

Mr Zimba said efficient mining would provide the foundation for value addition, while the company would continue prioritising communities around the project.

The first phase of the project, expected to come on stream during the second half of next year, is expected to employ more than 1 000 people and produce 226 000 ounces of PGMs annually, positioning Karo Platinum as a major player in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

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