1 August 2025 | Michael Tome | Heraldonline
BULAWAYO City Council showcased a wide array of lucrative investment opportunities within the metropolitan province and its surrounding areas during the inaugural Khumbul’ekhaya Investment Conference (KIC), held in Harare on Wednesday.
The conference aimed to attract potential investors — particularly those from the city’s designated “diaspora community”, including Harare-based individuals — to seize the promising opportunities available in the metropolis and contribute to its development.
The local authority’s efforts align with its broader development aspirations, underpinned by the Second Republic’s national development philosophy, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo / ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”, which emphasises that only a nation’s citizens can build their own country.
By highlighting the city’s investment potential, Bulawayo City Council hopes to stimulate economic growth, drive development, and support the re-industrialisation of the city.
Among the key investment opportunities presented at the conference was the establishment of waste-to-energy projects, which would enable the city to manage solid waste sustainably while generating power.
The council is also seeking investors to develop solar farms to ensure a stable energy supply for local industries. A major investment prospect is the proposed construction of a US$150 million industrial park at Umvumila, with 188 hectares of land already allocated. This project has the potential to attract new businesses and create employment opportunities for local communities.
The city is also inviting investment in the renovation and construction of sporting facilities, including football stadiums, to complement existing venues such as Barbourfields Stadium. Additionally, the council is seeking partners to rehabilitate old roads and construct new highways to ease congestion.
In terms of water infrastructure, Bulawayo is looking to attract investment in dam construction — such as the proposed Glassblock Dam — to address persistent water shortages and reduce reliance on the Zimbabwe National Water Authority.
Other opportunities include the regeneration of historic suburbs like Makokoba and the renewal of city bus termini, aimed at revitalising these areas.
These long-term projects require substantial funding, prompting the council to target pension funds and seek partnerships with major financial institutions such as the Insurance and Pensions Commission, the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) and the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe.
“We’ve observed that many people originally from Bulawayo, or who have long-standing ties to the city, are now thriving in Harare. So, we came to showcase some of the investment opportunities available back home,” said Bulawayo City Council Economic Development Officer, Mr Kholisani Moyo, during his presentation.
Mr Moyo highlighted that Bulawayo offers promising opportunities in housing, driven by a significant backlog. The city plans to construct flats and smart homes for low-income residents and is seeking land developers to partner in land servicing and construction.
The city also aims to boost tourism by developing high-end accommodation, including a five-star hotel, lodges and family-friendly entertainment facilities.
Additionally, it seeks to promote sports tourism by building modern stadiums for football, rugby and tennis, which would attract visitors and enhance the city’s tourism appeal.
Speaking at the same event, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Albert Mavhunga, urged local authorities across the country to develop strategies that attract investment from diaspora communities and international partners.
“The inaugural Khumbul’ekhaya Diaspora Investment Conference exemplifies our commitment to harnessing the potential of our diaspora communities. I encourage other local authorities to emulate these efforts and explore investment opportunities that can attract both diaspora and international partners.
“Let us foster an environment where investment flows freely from local to global, fuelling our development goals. United in purpose and action, we can realise a prosperous future for our cities, our country, and our continent,” he said.
Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, echoed this sentiment, stating that the city holds immense potential and that his administration is committed to restoring Bulawayo to its former glory.
“The city possesses tremendous potential, and this administration is determined to restore it to its former glory, making it a thriving metropolis once more,” said Clr Coltart.
The event was attended by corporate entities and Government agencies. Notable attendees included CBZ Holdings, TN CyberTech, BancABC, Mr Sinkwa and Ingwebu Breweries.
Government agencies present included the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera), Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz), and Nssa.
Ultimately, the Khumbul’ekhaya Investment Conference served as a vital platform for Bulawayo City Council to showcase the metropolitan province’s vast potential and attract a diverse range of investors to support its development agenda.
With a broad spectrum of investment opportunities on offer, Bulawayo is poised for growth and is eager to partner with investors to realise its vision.
According to the City of Bulawayo, the programme will be extended to South Africa and the United Kingdom, where a significant portion of the Bulawayo diaspora resides.