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Leonard Ncube [email protected]
MATABELELAND North must urgently focus on developing sustainable and smart infrastructure to position itself as a hub of socio-economic growth and development.

The province, comprising Binga, Bubi, Hwange, Lupane, Nkayi, Tsholotsho, and Umguza, is predominantly rural but boasts abundant resources in tourism, wildlife conservation, mining, agriculture, and forestry. It is home to the world-renowned Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves.
At the recently concluded two-day Matabeleland North Provincial Investment Conference held in Victoria Falls, stakeholders from local authorities, government departments, the private sector, and development partners gathered to explore investment opportunities. The conference was organised by the Office of the President and Cabinet to promote investments aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at the event, the Provincial Director for Economic Affairs and Investment, Mr Godfrey Mukwakwami, highlighted the importance of infrastructure in attracting investors.
Permanent Secretary for Matabeleland North, Mrs Sithandiwe Ncube, emphasised that the province’s wealth of opportunities requires unity and strategic planning to harness effectively.
“The local endowments present opportunities. However, to fully capitalise on these, there is an urgent need to prioritise sustainable infrastructure development. Infrastructure forms the backbone for economic growth and development, enabling industries to thrive, communities to grow, and economies to prosper,” she said.
Mrs Ncube commended local authorities for their support despite challenges and called on all stakeholders to collaborate in unlocking the province’s full potential. Echoing President Mnangagwa’s words, “Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” (A nation is built by its people), she encouraged collective action towards transformation.
Development partners, including the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), Mosi Development Company, and others, outlined investment prospects in the province.
Participants in the discussions advocated for the decentralisation of services, the establishment of rural innovation hubs, and improved accessibility to services for pensioners and rural communities. They also proposed the creation of incubation hubs for youth and women, particularly in small and medium enterprises.
The government’s Decentralisation and Devolution agenda is already visible in Matabeleland North, with infrastructure development underway in Lupane, the provincial capital. Key projects include the Welshman Mabhena Government Complex, Lupane Provincial Hospital, Lupane State University, and Civil Registry offices.
This year’s conference, themed “Unlocking Matabeleland North’s Potential: Investing in Sustainable Infrastructure and Housing Development for Economic Transformation,” follows the inaugural event held in Lupane last year. It aims to attract partnerships and foreign investments to maximise the province’s economic potential.
As the conference concluded, Mrs Ncube urged stakeholders to remain focused, united, and innovative in achieving the vision for Matabeleland North: “Let us work as a team, build on the momentum, and transform this province into a hub of growth, innovation, and prosperity.”
-@ncubeleon