Zimbabwean mining push faces vested interests

Subject

Zimbabwe mining prospects.

Significance

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has repeatedly said Zimbabwe is open for business, but this has yet to be backed up by substantive legislative reform or efforts at tackling entrenched corruption. Without fundamental changes, Zimbabwe’s mining sector will continue to deter legitimate investors and remain dominated by military and political elites.

Impacts

• Rejoining the Commonwealth could help improve the overall investment climate, but only if substantive democratic reforms are pursued.
• Minerals will be the key economic prospect that Mnangagwa can use to entice foreign investors in the short term.
• Should ZANU-PF triumph in the polls, ruling party infighting could intensify over Mnangagwa’s future successor.