THE 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba, held from February 9 to 12 has come and gone.
Now in its 32nd year, the Indaba is the crème de la crème of mining conferences on the continent.
This year’s edition, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, convened governments, investors, mining executives, financiers and development institutions under the theme: “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships”.
A look at the sponsors, attendees and the news coverage tell a story of the importance of mining to the global economy, political economy and indeed the trajectory of global development.
It is forgivable to argue that mining has become a key battlefield for announcing strategic intentions amid the evolving complexion of global hegemony.
Control over rare earths and other critical minerals is increasingly central to that contest. These resources underpin advanced manufacturing, defence systems and the clean energy transition, making them indispensable in the struggle for economic and geopolitical dominance.
So, it is clear for all to see how crucial this indaba is to global economics and geopolitics. I digress!
The message that each presenter and participant intended to convey was clear. Africa’s mineral future depends on alignment across policy, capital, and communities.
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Zimbabwe’s participation reflected that alignment. Zimbabwe was adequately represented and I think all those who travelled had clarity of purposes and were part of team Zimbabwe who had the aim of pitching Zimbabwe’s story correctly.
Zimbabwe’s representation
The delegation was led by Polite Kambamura, minister of Mines and Mining Development, who appeared on the official ministerial programme. His presence positioned Zimbabwe within continental discussions on regulatory reform, strategic minerals and investment mobilisation. George Guvamatanga, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, was also present.
He shared perspectives on one of breakfast meeting-cum-fire sides with a focus on fiscal stability, macroeconomic positioning and mining’s role in foreign currency generation.
The Zimbabwean delegation engaged development partners, including the World Bank on governance reform, infrastructure coordination and long-term capital attraction.
The participation of Mutapa Investment Fund was publicly noted. The Fund attended as part of its strategy to attract structured investment into strategic mining assets.
It was commendable to see full strong financial sector and monetary authority representation. Zimbabwe’s engagement extended beyond policy makers and sovereign funds into the financial system.
CBZ Holdings attended the indaba, led by its group chief executive officer Lawrence Nyazema. CBZ’s presence signalled domestic banking sector participation in structured mining finance, syndicated lending, and capital mobilisation.
FBC Holdings was also represented, reinforcing the role of commercial banks in supporting capital intensive projects. We also saw another senior banker in the person of Solomon Nyanhongo together with is team.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s presence underscored the strategic importance of mining to foreign currency inflows and monetary stability.
This broad-based participation reflected integration between domestic and regional capital channels in mining finance discussions. Together, these institutions illustrate a crucial point.
Mining development is enabled by financial architecture as much as geology.
Minerals context
Zimbabwe hosts significant deposits of lithium, platinum group metals, gold, chrome, nickel, and emerging rare earth prospects. These minerals align with global demand linked to electrification, battery storage technologies, and industrial supply chains.
Mining remains one of Zimbabwe’s primary foreign currency earning sectors. While no new production targets were publicly or formally announced on the Indaba platform, Zimbabwe’s engagement at a conference focused heavily on critical minerals reinforces its positioning within evolving global value chains.
The continental focus on value-addition, processing capacity and responsible mining governance aligns with Zimbabwe’s objective of strengthening its mining value chain.
Hunting in packs as strategy
The indaba theme reinforced interdependence. Policymakers must provide transparent licensing systems and regulatory consistency. Private operators must execute responsibly and meet compliance standards.
Commercial banks must structure long-term funding solutions. Monetary authorities must safeguard macroeconomic stability. Communities must be integrated into sustainable benefit frameworks.
Zimbabwe’s delegation visibly represented government, sovereign investment and financial institutions. Ordinary citizens were not directly represented on plenary stages, which are structured for institutional actors.
Conference programming across Africa did emphasise inclusivity and responsible mining practices. True pack strategy requires translating those principles into structured domestic consultation once delegates return home.
Governance signals
Zimbabwe’s indaba participation sends governance signals. Cross-ministry presence indicates policy coordination.
Sovereign investment representation signals commercial asset management. Commercial bank participation reflects domestic capital readiness.
Central bank engagement underscores macroeconomic alignment. These elements form the institutional architecture required for a pack strategy.
Measured success will depend on regulatory clarity, improved licensing processes, structured financing transactions and expanded local participation across mining supply chains.
From engagement to execution
The 2026 Mining Indaba provided Zimbabwe with a platform to engage global and regional capital within a partnership framework. Representation spanned government, sovereign funds, commercial banks, and monetary authorities.
The next phase lies in execution within Zimbabwe. Transparent regulation, infrastructure coordination, fiscal stability and structured financing partnerships will determine whether indaba engagement translates into tangible economic impact.
Hunting in packs requires discipline and alignment. Zimbabwe signalled that alignment in Cape Town. The responsibility now is to institutionalise it at home.
Mambure is a business leader and public policy scholar. He is a chartered marketer and fellow of the CIM (UK) and holds an MBA, Master in Public Policy and Government and an MSc in Marketing. — [email protected].
