Story by Batsirai Shoko
MATABELELAND North Province is courting Belarusian heavy equipment manufacturers to establish production and assembly plants in the province as part of efforts to accelerate industrialisation, strengthen key productive sectors and create jobs.
The investment drive follows a visit by a provincial delegation to the Belagro 2026 International Agricultural Exhibition in Belarus last week, where discussions were held with leading manufacturers of agricultural, mining and municipal equipment.
Leading the delegation, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Richard Moyo said the province is positioning itself as an attractive destination for manufacturing investment, leveraging its expanding agricultural and mining sectors.
“They have a reputation for manufacturing state-of-the-art equipment for agriculture, water purification, refuse compactors and other sectors. We spoke at length with the companies about our solid plans to host their manufacturing and assembly enterprises in Matabeleland North. The market for their products is there through our farmers, companies and local authorities,” said Honourable Moyo.
He said attracting Belarusian manufacturers would strengthen the province’s industrial base, create employment opportunities and increase Matabeleland North’s contribution to Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The province, which is home to several large-scale investment projects, is seeking to leverage ongoing and planned developments to attract equipment manufacturers capable of supporting growth in agriculture, mining and local authority services.
The investment push comes as Matabeleland North prepares to host its Provincial Economic and Investment Forum in Bulawayo this week, where investment opportunities across key sectors are expected to take centre stage.
