Dangote Group, led by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has signed a $1 billion investment agreement with the Government of Zimbabwe to establish an integrated industrial complex.
The deal marks a major milestone in Zimbabwe’s industrialisation drive under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy within the next decade.
According to Zimbabwean authorities, the investment will cut across several key sectors including cement production, energy, and mining, areas seen as critical to reviving the nation’s industrial and economic base.
Project to Bolster Manufacturing and Energy Supply
The integrated industrial project aims to strengthen Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector while addressing chronic infrastructure and energy deficits.
Under the agreement, Dangote Group will build a fully integrated cement factory equipped with a limestone quarry and grinding plant. The facility is expected to reduce Zimbabwe’s dependence on imported cement and boost construction activity.
The project will also include the development of a coal mine and a power station to supply energy for Dangote’s operations and contribute to the national grid.
From Talks to Action: A Decade-Long Effort
Nairametrics had earlier reported that renewed discussions at the Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Abuja in June 2025 revived interest in the project.
Dangote’s visit to Zimbabwe followed earlier investment missions in 2015 and 2018, which ended without a deal. The latest agreement represents the culmination of a decade-long effort to secure a foothold in Zimbabwe’s industrial space.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
Officials estimate that the total project cost will range between $800 million and $1 billion, making it one of the largest private-sector investments in Zimbabwe in recent years.
The project is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, particularly targeting young people. It will also stimulate local supply chains by supporting small and medium enterprises engaged in logistics, raw material supply, and construction.
Discussions between both parties also covered mining concessions, tax incentives, investment protection, and work permits for technical experts. The Zimbabwean government reiterated its commitment to ensuring a conducive business environment for investors.
