Published: 11 November 2025

Dutch billionaire and investor Mr Marcel Boekhoorn yesterday met President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House to present ambitious plans to expand his business footprint in Zimbabwe, signalling renewed foreign investor confidence in the country's mining sector.

Mr Boekhoorn, founder of Ramphastos Investments, already has a strong local presence through his ownership of Canterbury Mining, which operates in Shamva. His visit underscores growing international interest in Zimbabwe's mineral wealth, a key driver of the Government's economic transformation agenda.

The billionaire's high-level delegation briefed President Mnangagwa on plans for deeper and broader investments in Zimbabwe's resource sector, aligning with the "Zimbabwe is open for business" policy.

The meeting comes just two days before Africa's richest man, Mr Aliko Dangote, is expected in Harare for talks with the President - back-to-back engagements that highlight Zimbabwe's rising appeal to global capital.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Canterbury Mining Group secretary Mr Samuel Rusike said the company's major shareholder had responded positively to the Government's call for investment and was eager to scale up operations.

"They want to expand. So they came to see the President and tell him that as investors they are confident and want to grow their footprint in Zimbabwe," said Mr Rusike.

He said Canterbury Mining had already committed about US$25 million and plans to double its investment as part of the next phase of expansion.

Currently, the company produces an average of 45 kilogrammes of gold per month and is exploring opportunities in Zvishavane, where it intends to establish a larger plant.

Mr Rusike also highlighted the company's contribution to community development in Shamva.

"We have built a state-of-the-art school that accommodates 750 students and housing for 18 teachers. We are also focused on creating more jobs as we expand production," he said.

Government officials say the visit reflects growing global recognition of Zimbabwe's improving investment climate and the potential of its mining industry - now central to the country's 2030 industrialisation and growth vision.
- The Herald

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