The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) has four “bankable” projects being showcased at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 currently underway here, aiming to attract significant foreign investment.

The projects, which span the energy, agribusiness, and urbanisation sectors, are among several high-potential opportunities for investors seeking both financial returns and meaningful impact across the continent.

As part of IATF2025, organisers have put together an Investment Opportunities Project Book, a curated catalogue of “bankable” projects from across the continent.

The book showcases strategic opportunities in priority sectors such as transport & logistics, energy, FMCG, agribusiness, and urbanisation.

According to the booklet, each project aims to industrialise Africa, create jobs, and foster inclusive growth, while providing investors with concrete entry points for impact and returns.

The book also aims to act as a bridge between vision and capital, and between Africa’s potential and the global investment community.

It highlights the determination of African nations to mobilise domestic and international resources to shape their own development pathways. The book is designed to connect opportunity with capital, expertise, and partnerships.

Four projects from Zimbabwe are included in the booklet.

The first project, promoted by Solgas Energy Pvt Ltd, focuses on expanding a solar power plant in Hwange. The venture seeks to increase the existing 5MW plant’s capacity to 15MW with a target cost of $7.54 million. This “shovel-ready” project is fully licensed and is in the implementation stage, offering a concrete entry point for investors interested in Zimbabwe’s growing renewable energy sector. The type of investment needed is debt equity.

The plant operates under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ZETDC, and according to the information provided, the off-take performance to date has demonstrated high reliability and technical compliance, with minimal curtailment or interruptions. The project is fully licensed and shovel-ready.

Fast-growing agribusiness firm, Cicada Holdings, is also looking for funding for the sustainable production of avocados, macadamia nuts, soya, wheat, and one of Zimbabwe’s largest banana plantations.

Cicada is seeking to raise a total of US$34.5 million to restructure its short-term debt and fund its expansion programme in Midlands and Manicaland. The type of funding needed is debt equity.

Agro Strong, a beef and dairy farming venture which has been in operation since 2021, is also looking for funding. The venture focuses on large-scale cattle breeding and feedlot operations on a piece of land measuring 5,500 hectares. The project farm has abundant grazing, water resources, and supporting infrastructure to sustain the venture. The short-term plan involves acquiring 4 500–5 000 breeding cows to produce 3 000 calves annually, while long-term goals include vertical integration into feed production and export-certified abattoirs. Located in Matabeleland South, the project is looking for $5 million in debt equity.

The final key project is an urban regeneration initiative in Harare’s Waterfalls suburb. The Waterfalls Precinct Wide-Up Dual Projects, a collaboration with the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, aims to develop new housing units, commercial spaces, and climate-resilient infrastructure. With a substantial budget of $85.80 million, this project provides a significant opportunity for investors to participate in large-scale urban development.

The inclusion of these diverse projects in the IATF 2025 Investment Opportunities Project Book highlights Zimbabwe’s commitment to mobilising both domestic and international resources to drive its national development agenda and foster industrialisation.