Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Kunzvi dam ‘nearing completion’ but more dams needed, Mayor warns –Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE Mayor Jacob Mafume has sounded the alarm on the capital’s escalating water crisis, revealing that the city’s demands have surged to 500 megalitres per day – and even the long-awaited Kunzvi Dam won’t be enough to quench the thirst of 3.4 million residents.

Mafume praised the government for the Kunzvi Dam project, which is now nearing completion, but cautioned that additional dams will be required to meet the rising demand.

“Harare’s water works supply Harare City itself, Chitungwiza, Epworth, Ruwa and Norton,” Mafume told NewsDay.

“Currently, demand for water in the greater Harare area is pegged at 500 megalitres per day, which is quite a lot.”

The Kunzvi dam represents the city’s first major water infrastructure project since Morton Jaffrey Dam was built in 1976, nearly half a century ago.

“I want to pay tribute to the government and specifically the Ministry of Water for constructing Kunzvi Dam. I am happy and satisfied that the project is now nearing completion, and this is going to ease water supplies in Greater Harare,” Mafume said.

Once completed, the dam will benefit areas including Mabvuku and the eastern parts of the city, providing much-needed relief to the sprawling metropolis.

In a separate development, Mafume declared that the era of post-paid municipal services is over, with the city rolling out pre-paid water meters.

The City of Harare, in partnership with Helcraw Water Private Limited, has already installed 80,000 pre-paid water meters across the capital—a move the mayor says aligns with global trends toward pre-payment systems.

The post Kunzvi dam ‘nearing completion’ but more dams needed, Mayor warns appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Private health sector decries excessive regulations, limited patient choice –Newsday Zimbabwe

THE Private Healthcare Association of Zimbabwe (PHAZ) has raised concern over what it says is an excessive regulatory burden and limited patient choice in the healthcare sector, warning that these challenges are hampering the smooth operation of private health institutions.

Speaking on the sidelines of the association’s annual general meeting in Nyanga, PHAZ chairperson Letitia Gaga said the organisation was engaging the government to address regulatory bottlenecks while collaborating on efforts to improve healthcare standards and workforce development.

The conference is running under the theme: “Driving Collective Action Towards Universal Health Coverage in Zimbabwe.”

“The challenge which we have been facing is a number of regulatory issues – so many regulations in our industry and so many licences,” Gaga said.

She however expressed optimism over the government’s ongoing efforts to review regulations and the cost of doing business in the health sector.

“I am happy to say that the government has started the initiative of looking at all those issues.

“At the end of the day, we are going to see the prices being reduced and also to see the licensing being streamlined and coming up with fewer licences so that we are able to operate in our environment.”

Gaga said PHAZ was working closely with the Health and Child Care ministry to improve training and increase the number of healthcare professionals in line with government’s targets.

“We are going to work with the government so that we train the best staff in healthcare. We are also going to complement them so that they achieve their number which they want by 2030,” she said.

The PHAZ chairperson also called for clearer separation of roles between insurers and healthcare service providers, arguing that patients should be free to choose where they receive treatment.

“The insurers need to concentrate on insurance and the service providers need to concentrate on service providing. People are not given choices,” Gaga said.

The private health sector plays a critical role in Zimbabwe’s healthcare delivery system, complementing public facilities that have struggled with resource constraints and staffing shortages.

However, industry players have long complained that overlapping regulatory requirements increase operational costs, which are ultimately passed on to patients.

The post Private health sector decries excessive regulations, limited patient choice appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: City Parking rolls out smart traffic systems to tame Harare congestion -Newsday Zimbabwe

City Parking is set to install forty-nine intelligent traffic management systems across Harare in a major drive to ease the capital’s notorious traffic congestion, the company has announced.

The traffic signals rehabilitation project, being implemented in partnership with the City of Harare, will see solar-powered traffic lights installed at major intersections across the Central Business District.

The new systems feature high-brightness LED displays, energy-efficient designs, remote monitoring capabilities and modular upgrades, ensuring traffic signals operate reliably under various conditions.

The integration of solar technology guarantees that intersections remain fully functional during power outages, eliminating gridlock typically caused by load-shedding.

A central control room will allow authorities to monitor traffic in real-time during peak hours, enabling dynamic adjustment of light timings to clear congestion on busier routes.

“One of the standout features of the new system is intelligent green wave coordination, which can be implemented by configuring phase differences and timing plans for main road intersections,” the company said.

“This functionality facilitates continuous green wave progression along main roads, effectively minimising vehicle stops and enhancing both traffic throughput and driver satisfaction.”

The new traffic lights are mounted on reinforced concrete pillars, a departure from previous installations that frequently fell victim to vandalism and accidents.

According to municipal authorities, newly installed traffic signals would previously last less than a month before being demolished by reckless motorists.

Local motorists have welcomed the modernisation, praising the high visibility of the new systems and the introduction of digital countdown timers.

“This is definitely the way to go, and we are glad that these traffic lights are much more visible,” said one motorist.

“The digital timers allow you to count down the seconds and see exactly when the light is about to change.”

The traffic signal upgrade follows City Parking’s recent introduction of an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system for parking enforcement.

The technology, equipped with vehicle-mounted cameras, scans, reads and records licence plates in real-time, with data transmitted to a central control room for efficient monitoring.

The post City Parking rolls out smart traffic systems to tame Harare congestion appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

HARARE – The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and the National Venture Capital Company of Zimbabwe (NVCCZ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at creating a structured pathway for high-potential start-ups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to access capital markets through the newly established Zimbabwe Entrepreneurship Exchange (ZEEX).

The agreement marks a significant development in Zimbabwe’s financial markets, seeking to bridge a long-standing gap between early-stage venture capital financing and public market funding. Market participants say the partnership could help deepen Zimbabwe’s capital markets while providing growing enterprises with alternative sources of long-term funding.

Under the arrangement, the two institutions will collaborate to develop a pipeline of venture-backed businesses capable of graduating from early-stage financing into regulated capital market participation through ZEEX, a digital platform designed to facilitate fundraising and investment opportunities for entrepreneurs and SMEs.

The initiative comes at a time when access to affordable growth capital remains one of the biggest challenges facing Zimbabwean businesses, particularly start-ups and emerging enterprises that often struggle to secure financing beyond the seed and venture capital stages.

Building a Capital Markets Ecosystem

According to the joint announcement, the partnership recognises that successful business growth requires more than a single funding injection and instead depends on a continuum of capital, governance support and market access.

Through ZEEX, the ZSE and NVCCZ intend to create structured graduation pathways that enable promising businesses to move from venture capital financing into broader participation in the capital markets.

The framework will include jointly identifying enterprises supported by NVCCZ that have the potential to qualify for listing on ZEEX. Eligibility standards and quality benchmarks will be developed to ensure businesses are adequately prepared before entering public markets.

Financial analysts view the initiative as an attempt to address one of the weakest links in Zimbabwe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem—the absence of a clear exit pathway for venture capital investors and a scalable funding route for growing businesses.

Focus on Blended Finance and Co-Investment

The agreement also provides for the exploration of co-investment and blended finance structures that could combine public venture funding with private sector capital.

Such models have become increasingly popular globally as governments seek to crowd in private investment into high-growth sectors while reducing reliance on public funding.

Under the partnership, NVCCZ-backed enterprises may gain access to supplementary funding through ZEEX, while both institutions explore innovative financing mechanisms tailored to the needs of growth-stage companies.

The collaboration is expected to contribute to broader efforts to diversify Zimbabwe’s financing landscape, which has traditionally been dominated by commercial bank lending.

Strengthening Corporate Governance and Investor Readiness

Beyond financing, the partnership places significant emphasis on capacity building and enterprise development.

The ZSE and NVCCZ plan to jointly deliver training programmes covering corporate governance, financial reporting standards, investor readiness and ZEEX listing requirements. Advisory services will also be provided to assist selected enterprises in meeting regulatory and compliance obligations.

Market experts note that governance weaknesses and inadequate financial reporting have often prevented promising Zimbabwean businesses from attracting institutional investors. Improved investor readiness could therefore play a critical role in expanding investment opportunities.

New Financial Instruments Under Consideration

As part of the collaboration, both institutions will explore the development of new financial products designed specifically for the venture capital and SME sectors.

Potential instruments under consideration include SME bond programmes, sustainability-linked financing products, alternative listing platforms and structured SME investment funds.

The initiative aligns with broader trends across African capital markets, where exchanges are increasingly seeking innovative ways to support entrepreneurship and unlock investment opportunities beyond traditional equity listings.

Support for ZEEX Continues to Grow

The agreement also highlights ongoing progress in the operationalisation of ZEEX, which is being positioned as a key component of Zimbabwe’s efforts to deepen financial inclusion and accelerate business formalisation.

The growing number of institutional and financial sector partnerships being signed ahead of the platform’s launch is being viewed as evidence of increasing market confidence in the initiative.

Commenting on the partnership, ZSE Holdings Group Chief Executive Officer, Justin Bgoni, said venture capital and capital markets have historically operated in isolation in Zimbabwe.

He said the agreement creates a recognised pathway from venture capital-backed enterprises into public market participation, introducing a level of capital market planning that has previously been absent from the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

For entrepreneurs, he added, the partnership provides a clearer roadmap from early-stage financing to long-term capital market access.

Unlocking Growth Capital for Zimbabwean Enterprises

NVCCZ Chief Executive Officer, Tinotenda Kambasha, described the partnership as a critical milestone in strengthening Zimbabwe’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

He said venture investing extends beyond providing capital and requires supporting businesses throughout their growth journey. By creating a pathway from venture financing to capital market participation, the partnership is expected to improve liquidity, enhance investor participation and facilitate the recycling of capital into future generations of high-growth enterprises.

Analysts say the initiative could become an important building block in the development of Zimbabwe’s entrepreneurial finance ecosystem, particularly if it succeeds in creating viable exit opportunities for investors while expanding access to growth capital for SMEs.

As Zimbabwe seeks to stimulate innovation-led economic growth and industrial development, the collaboration between the country’s stock exchange and state-backed venture capital fund may provide a blueprint for integrating entrepreneurship financing with mainstream capital markets.

The post ZSE, NVCCZ Forge Strategic Partnership to Build Venture Capital Pipeline for SME Listings appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

HARARE – Zimbabwe has set an ambitious target of growing its industrial sector into a US$12 billion economy by 2030, with government officials arguing that the foundations for accelerated economic transformation have already been established.

Speaking at the official opening of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Annual Congress in Victoria Falls, Industry and Commerce Minister, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu, said the country is entering a new phase of economic development characterised by competitiveness, industrialisation and value creation.

“The national focus is shifting decisively from resilience to competitiveness, from stabilisation to transformation, and from potential to performance,” Ndhlovu told delegates drawn from industry, commerce and government.

The minister said Zimbabwe is implementing the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) with growing confidence, adding that policy reforms undertaken over recent years have created a platform for sustained industrial expansion and private sector growth.

Value Addition Seen as Key Driver of Industrial Growth

A central pillar of the government’s industrialisation strategy is the promotion of value addition and beneficiation, particularly in sectors where Zimbabwe has abundant natural resources.

Ndhlovu warned that the long-standing practice of exporting raw and semi-processed materials while importing finished products continues to undermine economic transformation.

He argued that such a model deprives the country of employment opportunities, industrial growth and foreign currency earnings that could be retained through domestic processing and manufacturing.

“Exporting raw materials effectively exports jobs and value,” he said, urging manufacturers and investors to seize opportunities emerging from government policies aimed at domesticating industrial production.

Electric Vehicle Revolution Creates New Opportunities

The minister also highlighted the growing global demand for minerals used in electric vehicles (EVs), battery technologies and renewable energy systems, describing the transition as a major opportunity for Zimbabwe’s industrial sector.

Zimbabwe possesses significant deposits of lithium, nickel, platinum and other strategic minerals increasingly required by global manufacturers as countries accelerate the transition to cleaner energy technologies.

Ndhlovu said the country is strategically positioned to become an important participant in emerging global value chains linked to electric mobility and energy storage systems.

He challenged business leaders to move beyond mineral extraction and explore opportunities in processing, component manufacturing and other downstream industries that can capture greater value from Zimbabwe’s resource endowment.

Government Expands Mineral-Based Industrial Value Chains

To support this vision, government is intensifying efforts to develop mineral-based value chains and establish Special Economic Zones linked to key mineral deposits.

The initiative aims to attract investment into processing industries and encourage the development of downstream manufacturing activities that can create jobs and increase export earnings.

According to the minister, competitiveness in the modern global economy is no longer determined solely by access to natural resources or low labour costs.

Instead, successful economies are increasingly characterised by innovation, productivity, technological sophistication, efficient institutions, quality infrastructure and strong industrial ecosystems.

“Modern competitiveness is driven by innovation, productivity and the ability to integrate into sophisticated value chains,” he said.

Mining Sector Imports Present Manufacturing Opportunity

Ndhlovu also pointed to the mining sector’s substantial import bill as an untapped opportunity for local manufacturers.

Zimbabwe’s mining industry currently imports large volumes of machinery, engineering products, chemicals, industrial equipment and consumables required for mineral production.

The minister said these imports represent potential market opportunities that domestic manufacturers should target as part of efforts to deepen local industrial linkages.

He encouraged Zimbabwean firms to position themselves as suppliers to the mining sector and become more active participants in mineral value chains.

Industry analysts note that stronger backward linkages between mining and manufacturing could help reduce import dependence, stimulate industrial production and increase domestic value retention from mineral extraction.

As Zimbabwe pursues its US$12 billion industrialisation target, policymakers increasingly view value addition, mineral beneficiation and integration between key economic sectors as critical drivers of long-term economic growth and structural transformation.

The post Zimbabwe Targets US$12 Billion Industry as Focus Shifts to Competitiveness and Value Addition appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.