Chinese investment in infrastructure and energy is key to Zimbabwe's development goals, a Zimbabwean economist has said.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, Zimbabwean expert Brains Muchemwa said that cooperation with China in channeling investments toward key economic enablers will further make Zimbabwe an attractive investment destination.
"When you look at the key enablers, in particular infrastructure and energy, that is where we definitely need more investment. More investment in terms of road construction, more investment in terms of power generation, in particular renewable energy, especially when you look at energy as an enabler for economic development," he said.
Muchemwa said that the influx of Chinese investment in key economic sectors will help lower the cost of doing business in Zimbabwe and uplift the economy into an upper-middle-income status, a goal that the Zimbabwean government aspires to achieve under its Vision 2030.
"We have not been getting a lot of investments, especially from the West, on our key projects," he said. "The Vision 2030 targets definitely will need serious investors and serious investment that will be able to create not only jobs but also the physical infrastructure, and that you will probably get from Chinese investors."
According to the economist, Chinese investment is crucial for Zimbabwe's energy and infrastructure by funding major national projects, including the Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion, the Kariba South Hydro Power Station, and the upgrades of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and Victoria Falls International Airport.
China is one of Zimbabwe's major sources of foreign investment. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, China's non-financial direct investment in Zimbabwe reached 55.54 million U.S. dollars in 2024. Bilateral trade between China and Zimbabwe totaled 3.802 billion dollars in 2024, up 23.9 percent year on year.
"The key energy and infrastructure projects significantly boosted power generation and connectivity in the country," he said.
With vast reserves of mineral resources, Zimbabwe can benefit from Chinese investment through value addition, Muchemwa said, adding that Chinese investors' involvement will help Zimbabwe secure more technology, increase mineral exports and create jobs.
Looking ahead to Zimbabwe's upcoming second National Development Strategy, a five-year economic plan, Muchemwa said China's experience offers useful lessons.
"I think what is important is that we need to learn from how the Chinese have been implementing their plans so that Zimbabwe can benefit from that," he added.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
