Published: 4 hours ago

Zimbabwe could generate nearly US$600 million in export earnings from a proposed agro-industrial Special Economic Zone (SEZ) expected to drive industrialisation, job creation and long-term economic transformation.

The Hunyani Agro-Industrial Special Economic Zone (HAISEZ), planned for a 2 600-hectare estate in Darwendale, about 60 kilometres west of Harare, is featured in the latest Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) Projects Prospectus as one of the country's largest integrated agricultural investment proposals.

The project is being positioned as a flagship export-oriented development that combines large-scale crop production, livestock farming, agro-processing infrastructure and renewable energy generation within a single industrial ecosystem.

According to the prospectus, the SEZ is projected to generate about US$594,82 million in revenues over an 11-year period, with anticipated profits of US$465,16 million over the same timeframe.

At its core, the development includes nearly 2 000 hectares of horticulture production focusing on crops such as avocados, citrus and macadamia nuts, alongside extensive livestock operations including cattle, poultry, hatcheries and advanced breeding systems.

The project also incorporates agro-processing facilities such as pack houses, cold storage units, abattoirs and fertiliser production plants, aimed at increasing domestic value addition before export.

About 80 percent of total output is expected to be exported, positioning the SEZ as a potential major contributor to Zimbabwe's foreign currency earnings.

A key component of the proposal is a 100MW solar power plant designed to supply energy both to the estate and to mining-sector off-takers, adding an additional revenue stream beyond agriculture.

Government has increasingly prioritised Special Economic Zones as tools to attract investment, improve industrial output and boost export competitiveness through incentives and streamlined regulation. Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube recently launched the country's first provincial SEZ in Mashonaland Central Province.

ZIDA said the Hunyani SEZ is supported by existing infrastructure valued at about US$15 million, including irrigation systems covering 700 hectares, established electricity connections, and access to key transport corridors linking Harare to regional and international markets. Secure water rights from Lake Manyame further strengthen the project's long-term viability.

Development partners include DrumCorp Holdings (Private) Limited, working alongside technical and advisory specialists in climate-smart agriculture, investment mobilisation and export market integration.

Economic analyst Wendy Mpofu said the project could have wide-ranging multiplier effects across the economy.

"Projects such as HAISEZ represent the future of Zimbabwe's economy," she said.

"They bring together agriculture, energy, technology, finance and exports in a way that creates sustainable growth rather than isolated economic activity."

If implemented as planned, the SEZ is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe's push toward value-added production, deeper industrialisation and increased participation in global agricultural value chains.
- The Herald

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