Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is preparing a major return to Zimbabwe with plans for a US$1 billion industrial complex that will integrate cement production, coal mining, and power generation.
- Aliko Dangote plans to invest US$1 billion in Zimbabwe for a comprehensive industrial complex.
- The Dangote Group previously explored Zimbabwean opportunities in 2015 and 2018.
- The project aims to integrate cement production, coal mining, and power generation to drive industrial growth.
- This endeavor marks one of the largest privately-led investments in Zimbabwe in over ten years.
Nigerian billionaire and Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote is gearing up for a significant investment drive in Zimbabwe as plans advance for a colossal cement, coal mining and power generation complex worth about US$1 billion.
The visit, expected soon, signals a renewed commitment from the Dangote Group, which previously explored Zimbabwe opportunities in 2015 and 2018.
According to organisers familiar with the itinerary, momentum is building for the project, which they believe will bolster Zimbabwe’s standing as a destination for high-value foreign direct investment while creating jobs and driving industrial growth.
Initial engagement between Dangote’s representatives and Zimbabwean officials reportedly took place during the Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Abuja in June.
Paul Tungwarara, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s investment adviser, confirmed that preparations are underway for a high-level meeting between the president and the Nigerian tycoon as per The Zimbabwean.
“The richest man in Africa is coming to Zimbabwe at the invitation of President Mnangagwa,” Tungwarara told journalists. “The two have been in constant communication and we are presently working on the logistical aspects of the visit.”
“We are keen to ensure that he makes a significant investment in Zimbabwe and avoid what happened during his previous visit in 2015, when he came but did not return.”
Upon arrival, Dangote is expected to meet President Mnangagwa and senior government officials to discuss key terms, including mining concessions, tax incentives, investment security, and regulatory approvals.
Dangote’s influence across Africa’s energy and industrial future
The Dangote Group operates in 17 African countries across cement, fertiliser, refinery and logistics infrastructure, positioning it as one of the continent’s most transformative corporate forces.
Its landmark US$20 billion refinery in Nigeria aims to drastically reduce Africa’s dependence on imported fuels. Cement production in several countries has already disrupted former import heavy markets while its fertiliser operations are enhancing food security and reducing reliance on overseas supply chains.
In countries including Ethiopia, Senegal, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania, the Group’s investments have reshaped construction material pricing and availability. Expansion into petrochemicals and refined petroleum supply is giving African airlines and industries the prospect of more reliable and competitive energy input.
The move toward Zimbabwe aligns with that long term African industrialisation strategy. Sources say Dangote is considering a vertically integrated complex consisting of a cement factory, limestone quarry and grinding plant supported by a coal mine and a power station. This structure would reduce operational costs, guarantee energy supply and strengthen raw material efficiency.
A delegation from Bard Santner Markets Inc, led by Chief Executive Officer Senziwani Sikhosana, recently visited Dangote’s operations abroad to study the potential scale and adaptability of such an undertaking on Zimbabwean soil.
If talks succeed, the planned project would become one of Zimbabwe’s largest privately led industrial investments in more than a decade. It could reposition the country as a regional supplier of construction materials and energy, helping accelerate its manufacturing revival ambitions.
