THE government has thrown its weight behind Bulawayo’s Khumbul’Ekhaya Investment initiative aimed at attracting local and diaspora investors to revive the city’s economy.
Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe praised the initiative as a critical driver of national development and urged other municipalities to follow suit.
“The inaugural Diaspora Investment Conference, Khumbul’Ekhaya, exemplifies our commitment to harnessing the potential of our diaspora communities,” Garwe said at the investment conference in Harare on Wednesday.
“I urge other local authorities across the country to emulate these efforts and explore investment opportunities that can attract our diaspora and international partners alike.”
He commended the collaboration between Bulawayo’s provincial ministry and the city council, saying it is essential for achieving national developmental goals.
Bulawayo mayor David Coltart highlighted the city’s untapped potential, urging investors to capitalise on opportunities it avails despite the industrial decline.
“Some questioned why we hosted this conference in Harare,” he said.
“But we must start here — where decision-makers and investors are — to reignite interest in Bulawayo.”
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Coltart lamented the closure of once-thriving factories but emphasised the need to “reimagine Bulawayo’s economy” through tourism, technology and diaspora reinvestment.
The city appealed to Starlink to establish a base station in Bulawayo to enhance internet connectivity to support business growth.
Acting town clerk Sikhangele Zhou said holding the conference in Harare was a strategic move aimed at reconnecting with Bulawayo expatriates and spur economic revival.
“This event is a catalyst for re-engagement and investment,” she said.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the Information ministry, led by minister Jenfan Muswere, recently conducted a tour of major industries in Bulawayo, including Carousel Edgars and Bakers Inn, to assess progress since President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s visit to factories in the city.
Companies in the manufacturing, textile and baking sectors hailed the Targeted Finance Facility (TFF), a government initiative providing critical financial support for retooling and production enhancement.
“Our production levels have increased significantly due to the modern machinery we acquired,” Carousel Edgars managing director Manfree Tanyanyiwa said.
“We’ve had very encouraging growth and the retooling drive allowed us to source high-quality equipment from Italy.”
Bakers Inn, a confectionery giants, confirmed that improved agricultural output, especially wheat production, which is essential to its operations, has brought stability to its supply chain and reduced production disruptions.
“Wheat is a key ingredient in our sector. Thanks to government support for agriculture, we no longer experience flour shortages. This has allowed us to run our operations smoothly,” said Precious Mpofu, general manager of Bakers Inn southern region.
Muswere emphasised that revitalisation of Bulawayo industries aligns with government’s Vision 2030.
“Reviving Bulawayo is central to that vision and we are seeing real progress on the ground,” he said.
