China’s investments in power generation, transport infrastructure and manufacturing are helping lay the foundation for Zimbabwe’s industrialisation and economic diversification, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Thursday.
Chinese Embassy Economic and Commercial Counsellor Huang Minghai told journalists at a briefing that Beijing had stepped up support for Africa’s industrialisation drive through infrastructure financing, investment and skills development under commitments made at the 2023 China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue.
“Under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework, China has increased assistance, investment and financing for Africa’s industrialisation, focusing on infrastructure, industrial chains and capacity-building,” Huang said during a briefing in Harare.
Huang said Zimbabwe had been a major beneficiary of Chinese investment, with hundreds of Chinese companies operating across mining, manufacturing, agriculture and other productive sectors.
He said Chinese-backed infrastructure projects, including power stations, airport upgrades and broadband expansion, had improved the country’s investment climate and industrial capacity.
“China has funded and built landmark infrastructure including power stations, upgraded airports and broadband projects, greatly improving connectivity and industrial conditions,” Huang said.
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He added that captive power plants established by Chinese mining companies had helped ease Zimbabwe’s chronic electricity shortages, one of the biggest constraints to industrial growth.
“In particular, the captive power plants built by Chinese mining companies have alleviated the country’s power shortage,” Huang said.
The diplomat said Chinese investment was also transforming Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector by expanding local production capacity and reducing dependence on imports.
He cited Dinson Iron and Steel as a key example, saying the project had helped reposition Zimbabwe from a steel importer to an emerging exporter within the region.
“Dinson Iron and Steel has turned the country from a steel importer into a regional exporter,” Huang said.
Chinese-backed factories producing home appliances, construction materials, paper and textiles had also broadened Zimbabwe’s industrial base, while new cement and fertiliser plants expected to come on stream soon would strengthen the country’s position as a regional supplier, he said.
Beyond manufacturing, Huang said Chinese companies were investing in mineral beneficiation and value addition, helping Zimbabwe move up the global supply chain for minerals critical to the energy transition.
“In the mining sector, Chinese companies are advancing mineral processing to upgrade the value chain and elevate Zimbabwe’s role in global new energy industries,” he said.
Huang said China’s support extended beyond infrastructure and investment to human capital development through technical training, vocational education and skills transfer programmes.
Hundreds of Zimbabwean government officials and professionals participate in training programmes in China every year, while partnerships between Chinese and Zimbabwean vocational institutions are helping develop technical skills required by industry, he said.
“Chinese vocational colleges have established tripartite cooperation with their counterparts here, training technical personnel for Chinese companies in Zimbabwe,” Huang said.
He said China’s broader industrialisation support sought to connect Chinese capital, technology and expertise with Zimbabwe’s agricultural and mineral resources to accelerate economic transformation.
“China’s zero-tariff policy and support in industrialisation embody the principles of sincerity, equality and mutual benefit,” Huang said.
“It connects China’s huge market, capital and technology capability with Zimbabwe’s agricultural and mineral resources, strongly supporting Zimbabwe’s economic diversification and industrialisation.”
Huang said the Chinese Embassy would continue supporting Zimbabwe’s efforts to attract investment and expand industrial cooperation between the two countries.