Zimbabwe is set to see a major industrial and digital infrastructure project spearheaded by Econet InfraCo, the infrastructure arm of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, under the direction of billionaire entrepreneur Strive Masiyiwa.
The company has proposed a 300-hectare industrial park adjacent to Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare. At the center of this development is a 100-megawatt solar power plant designed to provide reliable, independent energy to support manufacturing, logistics, and data operations.
The location is strategic. Being next to the airport ensures access for goods, raw materials, and personnel, while reducing the logistical burden for companies looking to export products.
Econet InfraCo plans to provide serviced land, power, and digital infrastructure, minimizing upfront costs for tenants and allowing businesses to begin operations faster than they could in conventional industrial zones.
The initiative reflects a clear focus on efficiency and predictability for investors and industrial operators.
The solar plant will be deployed in phases, scaled according to demand, ensuring that energy supply grows alongside the park’s occupancy. This approach addresses one of the most persistent challenges for industrial investment in Zimbabwe: unreliable electricity.
By providing a stable power source, Econet InfraCo aims to lower operational risks for businesses and create an environment where manufacturers and exporters can plan confidently for the long term.
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Beyond energy, the industrial park is intended to integrate modern data infrastructure. Econet InfraCo’s experience in telecommunications allows it to offer connectivity solutions that support manufacturing processes, logistics tracking, and digital services.
This combination of energy, connectivity, and location positions the park as a facility capable of supporting multiple sectors, from processing plants to tech-enabled export services.
Strive Masiyiwa’s vision for this project is part of a broader restructuring of Econet InfraCo, separating infrastructure assets from the mobile operations of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe.
This strategy allows InfraCo to operate independently, focus on industrial and digital infrastructure, and potentially list on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange. It is a calculated move to unlock value from the company’s infrastructure while supporting Zimbabwe’s industrial growth objectives.
The project has already begun its first phase, although it remains subject to regulatory approvals. Once operational, it will likely rank among the largest private-sector industrial developments in the country since independence.
Masiyiwa has also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the group’s strategy, linking infrastructure investments to technological efficiency and operational insight.
For investors, policymakers, and companies evaluating entry into Zimbabwe, the project offers a clear statement: infrastructure challenges can be addressed proactively, and industrial expansion can be anchored by energy and connectivity solutions.
By Thuita Gatero, Managing Editor, Africa Digest News. He specializes in conversations around data centers, AI, cloud infrastructure, and energy.
