‘We have to look for funding, expertise in Africa not just abroad’: Zimbabwe investment official

CAIRO - 12 June 2021: “We look for funding and expertise outside the continent but we have to look for funding and expertise inside the continent,” CEO of Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) Douglas Tawanda Munatsi said Saturday in IPAs Africa Forum 1.

 

“Beyond the AfCFTA, we have to focus on getting a robust financial system that would finance industrialization and innovation,” Munatsi added.

 

Speaking of ZIDA, he said that “it is the youngest IPA in Africa. We’re just 1 year old.”

 

With regard to its priorities, Munatsi clarified, “our goal is eliminating bureaucracy and be responsive.”

 

Underlining investment opportunities in Zimbabwe, the official said, “ we have abundant gold resources....We have investment opportunities in tourism and roads.”

 

Given that qualified human resources are crucial, Munatsi underscored that Zimbabwe has the highest rate of literacy on the continent “so we have a big knowledge economy sector.”

 

Africa IPAs Forum 1 kicked off in Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh having as slogan “Growth for Integration.” The forum is the first of its kind and is taking place on June 11-14 with the participation of ministers and chairpersons of investment promotion authorities at 34 African countries.