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Source: Drive national development agenda, universities urged – herald

Minister Machakaire

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

UNIVERSITY students have been challenged to harness their knowledge and innovation to provide practical solutions to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic challenges, as the country’s transformation depends on an educated, skilled and patriotic youth.

Speaking at the eighth edition of the Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) National Universities Quiz Challenge in Harare yesterday, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire said young people had a critical role to play in achieving the country’s development aspirations under Vision 2030.

He said the Second Republic had placed youth empowerment at the centre of national development through the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the National Youth Policy and the National Youth Empowerment Strategy.

“Zimbabwe’s future will never be determined by the resources beneath our soil alone. It will be determined by the ideas inside the minds of our young people,” said Minister Machakaire.

“Our greatest national asset is not gold, lithium or platinum. It is an educated, innovative and patriotic generation that is prepared to solve Zimbabwe’s challenges.”

He said that while Government continued to create opportunities for young people through various empowerment initiatives, it was incumbent upon the youth to take advantage of those opportunities.

“Government can only create opportunities. It is the young people who must seize them,” he said.

Minister Machakaire described the annual quiz challenge as a platform for grooming future leaders and innovators capable of contributing to national development.

“It is a leadership laboratory. It is a platform where future ministers, entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators, policymakers and captains of industry begin sharpening the minds that will shape Zimbabwe tomorrow,” he said.

Minister Machakaire urged students to go beyond acquiring academic qualifications and focus on solving national challenges.

“Zimbabwe does not simply need graduates. Zimbabwe needs solution providers. Zimbabwe needs innovators. Zimbabwe needs job creators. Zimbabwe needs ethical leaders.”

The minister also commended participants for demonstrating knowledge of the National Multisectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan, noting that the competition coincided with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

“The greatest weapon against drug and substance abuse is not punishment alone. It is knowledge. When young people understand the consequences of addiction, they become ambassadors of prevention,” he said.

UNESCO Regional Advisor for Education for Health and Well-being, Ms Patricia Machawira, said higher and tertiary institutions should continue strengthening policies that promote students’ health, safety and well-being.

She said UNESCO, through the O3 Plus programme, was working with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, SAYWHAT and other partners to support institutions in implementing policies on sexual and reproductive health, mental health, gender-based violence prevention and disability inclusion.

“Students are not just beneficiaries. You are peer educators, advocates, innovators, leaders and accountability partners,” she said.

“You know where the real gaps are. You know what students are afraid to say. You know what services are working and what services are only working on paper.”

SAYWHAT executive director Mr Jimmy Wilford said the competition had grown from 10 participating universities in 2019 to 17 this year, exposing more students to national policies and development frameworks.

“The major win from this competition, beyond the trophies, is that students are being exposed to various national development documents and global development strategies which they will continue to use beyond the competition,” he said.

Mr Wilford said the organisation intended to expand participation to 20 universities while ensuring that young people’s voices were systematically incorporated into national development processes.

The National University of Science and Technology emerged winners of this year’s competition ahead of the University of Zimbabwe, while Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences finished third.

Other participating institutions were Bindura University of Science Education, Catholic University of Zimbabwe, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Great Zimbabwe University, Gwanda State University, Harare Institute of Technology, Lupane State University, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Midlands State University, Reformed Church University, Women’s University in Africa, Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, Zimbabwe Open University and Arrupe Jesuit University.

Receiving the winners’ trophy, NUST third-year Architecture student Roy Chrispen Muzondo attributed the team’s success to resilience and effective communication.

“We dropped a couple of points in one of the rounds, but we managed to regroup and improve our communication. That is what helped us secure the victory, and we hope to defend the title next year,” he said.

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Source: Kamativi Mining invests US$25m in solar power plant – herald

Dr Jorum Gumbo

Rutendo Nyeve recently in KAMATIVI

KAMATIVI Mining Company has invested US$25 million towards the construction of a 36-megawatt solar power farm, which is set reduce electricity costs and cut carbon emissions in line with Government’s call for the mining sector to be self-sufficient in  energy.

The project, located within the mine’s concession in Kamativi, is expected to be completed by September this year and represents one of the largest private renewable energy initiatives in the region.

The development comes as the Second Republic continues to reap fruits of its open-for-business policy, which has attracted massive investments into the mining sector, particularly in lithium extraction.

Kamativi, closed in 1994, has been resuscitated through new investments in lithium mining that have not only brought life back to Dete and surrounding areas, but also catalysed massive infrastructure developments like the solar farm.

Zimpapers visited the site on Friday and witnessed the contractor, which has since roped in 100 locals into the project, busy with works at various levels.

Truckloads of 710-watt solar panels were being offloaded while excavation works, installation of silver works, and erection of solar panels on other sections were underway.

Special Adviser to the President responsible for monitoring implementation of Government programme, Dr Jorum Gumbo, visited the mine and witnessed the development firsthand.

Dr Gumbo commended the company’s community engagement model and called for other mining firms to emulate the  initiative.

“The involvement of the community on its own is actually commendable, because the community feels the ownership of the project. And if this company’s model could be populated by other companies, then definitely the mining sector would be contributing a lot to the communities where they operate,” said Dr Gumbo.

He further suggested that provincial conferences should be established where miners showcase what they are doing for their communities and even provide certificates to recognise those performing well in community development.

“In general, we’ve been very impressed with what we have seen here at Kamativi Mining Company,” he said.

The post Kamativi Mining invests US$25m in solar power plant appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Kamativi Mining invests US$25m in solar power plant – herald

Dr Jorum Gumbo

Rutendo Nyeve recently in KAMATIVI

KAMATIVI Mining Company has invested US$25 million towards the construction of a 36-megawatt solar power farm, which is set reduce electricity costs and cut carbon emissions in line with Government’s call for the mining sector to be self-sufficient in  energy.

The project, located within the mine’s concession in Kamativi, is expected to be completed by September this year and represents one of the largest private renewable energy initiatives in the region.

The development comes as the Second Republic continues to reap fruits of its open-for-business policy, which has attracted massive investments into the mining sector, particularly in lithium extraction.

Kamativi, closed in 1994, has been resuscitated through new investments in lithium mining that have not only brought life back to Dete and surrounding areas, but also catalysed massive infrastructure developments like the solar farm.

Zimpapers visited the site on Friday and witnessed the contractor, which has since roped in 100 locals into the project, busy with works at various levels.

Truckloads of 710-watt solar panels were being offloaded while excavation works, installation of silver works, and erection of solar panels on other sections were underway.

Special Adviser to the President responsible for monitoring implementation of Government programme, Dr Jorum Gumbo, visited the mine and witnessed the development firsthand.

Dr Gumbo commended the company’s community engagement model and called for other mining firms to emulate the  initiative.

“The involvement of the community on its own is actually commendable, because the community feels the ownership of the project. And if this company’s model could be populated by other companies, then definitely the mining sector would be contributing a lot to the communities where they operate,” said Dr Gumbo.

He further suggested that provincial conferences should be established where miners showcase what they are doing for their communities and even provide certificates to recognise those performing well in community development.

“In general, we’ve been very impressed with what we have seen here at Kamativi Mining Company,” he said.

The post Kamativi Mining invests US$25m in solar power plant appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Grain import levies fund US$3,2m irrigation drive – herald

Professor Obert Jiri

Theseus Mauruki Shambare

Herald Correspondent

Zimbabwe is rapidly converting grain import levy revenues into tangible irrigation infrastructure projects, with more than US$3,2 million and ZIG29 million already deployed towards irrigation development under the Agricultural Marketing Fund .

The programme, which is anchored on Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, is part of the government’s broader strategy to link agricultural import regulation with domestic production support, as authorities intensify efforts to strengthen food security and climate resilience.

Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025 is the policy framework that introduces a grain import levy on selected commodities and ring-fences the revenue into the Agricultural Marketing Fund to finance irrigation development, boost local production and strengthen Zimbabwe’s food security system.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the scheme is already delivering measurable outcomes on the ground, with irrigation schemes being rehabilitated and expanded to boost production capacity.

“Certainly this is SI 87 in action, the SI 87 of 2025, which emphasises local production,” said Prof Jiri.

He said the Glen Somerset Irrigation Scheme in Murewa District is a clear example of the policy in practice, where 50 hectares previously underutilised have now been brought into production through irrigation infrastructure financed by levy proceeds.

“So essentially, these are the results where we see irrigation schemes being opened up and this was at zero and now we are able to irrigate 50 hectares.”

Prof Jiri said the scheme — now benefiting 20 farmers — had the capacity to produce at least 250 tonnes of grain, significantly strengthening household and local food security in the                                                                                      area.

“If we operate at 92kg per person per year consumption which is the average, it means that we will be able to feed much more than the 20 beneficiaries of this scheme,” he said.

“Food security around the scheme is now guaranteed.”

He said the expansion of irrigation was part of a national strategy to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture and ensure stable food production amid increasing climate variability and El Niño risks.

Government’s long-term target, he said, was to expand irrigated cereal production to 350 000 hectares, which would guarantee national food self-sufficiency.

“We are on 258 000 hectares,” said Prof Jiri.

“We will remove from there the estates, sugar cane estates, citrus estates and other non-food crops. In essence we have around 148 000 hectares available for cereal production.”

He said this left a national gap of about 200 000 hectares that still needed to be developed urgently to meet food security requirements through irrigation.

Prof Jiri said the country had made significant progress since 2017, when irrigation development stood at about 70 000 hectares, rising to 258 000 hectares in 2026, despite the capital-intensive nature of such investments.

“We have moved quite a lot from 2017, when we were just about 70 000 hectares and now we are on 258 000 hectares.

“It is massive progress considering that irrigation development is capital-intensive,” he said

He said the Government was now accelerating small-scale and scheme-based irrigation models funded through innovative financing mechanisms, including proceeds from SI 87 of 2025.

Agricultural Marketing Authority chief executive Ms Alice Mapfiza said the Fund was already supporting 17 irrigation schemes in its first batch, with completion targeted for July 31, 2026.

“The scheme cost a total of around US$300 000, but the total funds that we have put towards different schemes for the first batch amount to US$3.2 million and ZIG 29 million,” she said.

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Source: Zim to cut US$200m fertiliser import bill – herald

Professor Mthuli Ncube

Theseus Mauruki Shambare

Herald Correspondent

ZIMBABWE is moving to end dependence on imported fertiliser, with the Government targeting self-sufficiency in production as part of efforts to cut the country’s annual import bill and strengthen food security.

The push comes as the Government intensifies efforts to revive and expand local fertiliser manufacturing capacity, with authorities arguing that domestic production will shield farmers from global supply disruptions and foreign currency pressures.

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, writing in his latest Sunday Mail column, said Zimbabwe had the capacity to become self-sufficient in fertiliser production through investment, innovation and leveraging its natural resources.

Prof Ncube said the country’s transition from an importer to a producer would help retain foreign currency within the economy while supporting agricultural growth.

He said Zimbabwe has the necessary raw materials, including mineral resources, to develop a competitive fertiliser industry and reduce reliance on imports.

“The country has the potential to become self-sufficient in fertiliser production,” Prof Ncube wrote, highlighting that investment into local manufacturing would strengthen the agricultural value chain and support economic growth.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said the Government was already implementing measures to localise fertiliser production as part of efforts to protect the agriculture sector from global supply disruptions.

“Zimbabwe is accelerating plans to localise fertiliser production,” Dr Masuka said, adding that the country needed to develop domestic capacity to guarantee reliable access to inputs.

He said the Government was pursuing strategies aimed at reducing vulnerability to international markets while ensuring farmers have timely access to affordable fertiliser.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Professor Obert Jiri said fertiliser security remained critical to sustaining agricultural productivity and achieving food security.

Prof Jiri said the Government was working on strengthening the fertiliser value chain, including promoting local production and addressing supply challenges affecting farmers.

“Fertiliser availability is critical for us to achieve our agricultural targets,” Prof Jiri said, adding that interventions were being implemented to ensure adequate supplies for farmers.

The push towards fertiliser self-sufficiency follows years of dependence on imports, exposing the country to global price fluctuations, foreign currency pressures and supply chain disruptions.

The Government has identified local resource beneficiation, investment and industrial revival as key pillars in reducing fertiliser imports and building a resilient agricultural sector.

Zimbabwe’s drive towards fertiliser self-sufficiency is anchored on a small but interconnected group of existing players across the value chain, rather than entirely new entrants.

At the upstream level, companies such as ZimPhos and Sable Chemicals produce key inputs including phosphate- and nitrogen-based compounds, while Dorowa Minerals supplies essential phosphate rock.

These are then processed and blended by major manufacturers such as Windmill and the Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company (ZFC), with additional contributions from regional and local firms including Omnia Fertiliser Zimbabwe, ETG Inputs and FSG.

Together, these companies form an integrated industrial base that the Government is seeking to strengthen and expand in order to reduce imports, stabilise supply and build domestic fertiliser security.

Officials believe that increasing local production capacity will not only reduce the country’s import bill but could also position Zimbabwe as a regional supplier of fertiliser.

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