Zimbabwe courts investors for water resources infrastructure sector

By Wallace Mawire

 Zimbabwe’s ministry of Environment, Water and Climate has hosted a two day conference on 4 to 5 June, 2018 to unlock investment in the water resources infrastructure sector.

 According to an investment prospectus presented to delegates and potential investors, the water conference  has been hosted to raise investment for the water sector as spelt  out in the country’s economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZIMASSET) running from 2013 to 2018.

 The conference focused on financing strategies for water resources infrastructure, attracting private sector investment in water resources infrastructure and accelerating the implementation of the Public, Private Partnerships (PPPs) in line with the economic blueprint.

 Potential investors have also been invited to consider projects outlined in the prospectus on the basis of proposed investment models.

 Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who officially opened the conference, said that his government was resolute in its commitment to improve the country’s water resources infrastructure which has potential to unlock vast opportunities for the country’s socio-economic development.

  President Mnangagwa also added that his government was putting in place policy measures to support the development of infrastructure such as the construction of more dams to mitigate challenges faced in the water sector.

  “We look forward to forging partnerships with the private sector and other development partners to compliment efforts that government has already taken to develop the water infrastructure in the country,” he said.

  Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Zimbabwe’s minister of Environment, Water and Climate said that the water resources infrastructure investment conference identifies four components of dam construction, water supply infrastructure and conveyance, irrigation infrastructure and mini hydropower generation.

 The conference was attended by local, regional and international investors.