Mash East woos investors in Mozambique

Province leverages 300km proximity via Nyamapanda to unlock horticulture and manufacturing markets

By Albert Masaka

TETE, Mozambique – Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland East Province today mounted a strong investment push into Mozambique, taking advantage of its shared border and proximity to Tete Province to explore lucrative new markets.

A high-powered delegation, led by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, is currently in Tete attending the Mozambique International Investment Conference.

Mozambique President Daniel Chapo, who also serves as the Secretary-General of the ruling Frelimo party officially opened the high-profile event.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Advocate Ndudzo revealed that Mashonaland East’s participation came at the specific invitation of President Chapo.

“We have come here at the specific instance and invitation of His Excellency, President Chapo, who has requested us to participate and showcase the kind of investments we can make in Tete Province,” Ndudzo said.

Leveraging Geographic Advantage

Mashonaland East shares a direct physical boundary with Tete Province at the Nyamapanda Border Post in Mutoko. The provincial capital, Marondera, sits just over 300 km from Tete—a logistical advantage that the province is eager to capitalise on.

“From our provincial capital, Marondera, to their provincial capital, Tete, it’s just a little over 300 kilometres,” Ndudzo said. “So, there is immense scope for us to do so much together.”

He highlighted that Tete Province boasts a population of over 3.5 million people, presenting a massive, untapped consumer market for Zimbabwean goods and services.

Horticulture and Manufacturing in Focus

To maximise the impact of the mission, the delegation includes senior government officials alongside top private-sector players. The primary focus of the push centres on bolstering horticulture, agro-processing, and manufacturing networks.

“We have come with a high-powered government delegation and also some of our very big corporates within horticulture, because we see the possibility of establishing massive trade partnerships and cross-border supply chains that will drive mutual economic growth,” Ndudzo said.