Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has commended the Chinese-funded Palm River Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Beitbridge as a transformative project set to accelerate the nation’s industrialization, energy self-sufficiency, and employment creation.
Speaking at the Mining, Engineering and Transport Conference in Bulawayo, Chiwenga hailed the project as “a strategic anchor in Zimbabwe’s industrial growth agenda,” emphasizing that it represents a new phase in the nation’s economic cooperation with China.
“The Palm River Industrial Park is not just an investment, it is a foundation for local beneficiation, skills development, and value creation. It exemplifies Zimbabwe’s commitment to transforming its mineral wealth into tangible economic prosperity,” said Chiwenga.
Launched earlier this year by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Palm River SEZ, developed by Xintai Resources, a Chinese energy and mining conglomerate, is a US$3.6 billion investment that will be rolled out in five phases over the next 12 years.
The project will focus on the value addition of Zimbabwe’s mineral resources, such as chromium and iron, while also incorporating power generation facilities to reduce the country’s dependency on imported energy. According to Zimbabwean officials, the initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs and inject new dynamism into the country’s manufacturing and export base.
“This investment marks a turning point for Matabeleland South Province and Zimbabwe at large,” noted Xintai Resources executives during the groundbreaking ceremony. “By integrating metallurgy with clean energy production, we are building an ecosystem for sustainable industrial growth.”
The Palm River SEZ is one of several strategic projects underscoring China and Zimbabwe’s long-standing partnership, which has evolved from infrastructure development to industrial transformation.
Among other major Chinese-backed initiatives is the Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) in Midlands Province, operated by Tsingshan Holding Group, which has received Special Economic Zone status. DISCO has significantly reduced Zimbabwe’s steel imports while promoting local beneficiation and job creation.
China has also supported agricultural diversification and trade with Zimbabwe. A recent breakthrough in blueberry exports from Zimbabwe to China marked a new era of agricultural cooperation, strengthening food security and export potential.
Additionally, Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s industrialization goals under Vision 2030, focusing on value addition, manufacturing, and sustainable growth.
Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 aims to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy through industrialization, infrastructure, and job creation. Chinese investments like Palm River are key to realizing that vision, aligning with the Africa-China cooperation framework that promotes shared growth through mutual benefit.
With energy integration, local processing, and employment generation at its core, the Palm River Industrial Park stands as a beacon of how strategic cooperation can translate into lasting economic transformation.
