Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Mr Tafadzwa Chinamo 
Wallace Ruzvidzo, Herald Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) has issued 207 licences totalling US$4,7 billion, as investors continue to show confidence in the Second Republic’s policies.
This is contained in the investment agency’s first quarter report which also contains 78 licence renewals with a value of over US$363 million.
ZIDA chief executive officer Mr Tafadzwa Chinamo said investors continued to show interest in the country’s mining, agriculture and renewable energy sectors.
There was a 44,8 percent increase in licences issued, compared to those issued during the same period last year.
“The successful launch of ZIDA’s digital investment licence issuance system at the end of March marked a key milestone, enabling an end-to-end online process for licence application, processing and issuance. A total of 207 new investment licences were issued in this period, an increase of 44,8 percent compared to the first quarter of 2024,” he said.
Mining continued to attract the highest number of licences, with 88 for investments totalling US$906 million, while the energy sector had the highest projected investment value, although fewer licence applications.
The ZIDA boss said there had, however, been a slight decrease in renewals of licences done before deadlines, and to avert this, the agency had instituted a cocktail corrective of measures.
“While licence renewal activity grew in volume over the same period, the proportion of on-time renewals declined marginally, from 16,7 percent to 14,6 percent.
“To address this, ZIDA introduced automated renewal notifications and strengthened follow-up efforts to encourage greater compliance,” he said.
Generally speaking, investors moving into Zimbabwe bring their own equipment and this comprises the bulk of their initial spending. There is some cash needed, for start up labour and other costs, but most investments in mining, energy and manufacturing needs to be the high-end equipment used.
Mr Chinamo said investment composition this quarter indicated that 60 percent of actual inflows comprised imported capital equipment, largely directed to the mining and manufacturing sectors, while 11 percent originated from foreign exchange equity.
“Aligned with our 2025 Strategy, the agency broadened its research-led promotion activities, culminating in the development of a Priority Sector Research Paper and two Policy & Investment Research studies aimed at improving regulatory efficiency and enhancing investor facilitation.
“Investor interest remained particularly strong in the mining, agriculture and renewable energy sectors, where ZIDA engaged actively in strategic forums and events to support sustainable investments, project development and regulatory clarity,” he said.
In terms of licences issued by province, Matabeleland North had 14 worth US$1,4 million, Mashonaland West 32 worth US$804,68 million, Midlands 37 valued at US$124,55 million, Harare Metropolitan 78 worth US$111,31 million, Matabeleland South 3 valued at US$71 million, Mashonaland Central 17 worth US$32,26 million, Masvingo 10 worth US$8,73 million, Bulawayo Metropolitan 6 valued at US$7 million, Mashonaland East 7 worth US$6,6 million and Manicaland 3 valued at US$2,4 million.
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