Oil, gas discoveries ignite optimism in Mashonaland

A wave of optimism is sweeping through Mashonaland Central following major natural resource discoveries that are positioning the province as a potential pillar of Zimbabwe's future energy security and economic growth.

At the centre of this renewed optimism is the landmark Mukuyu gas-condensate discovery in the Muzarabani basin, confirmed by Invictus Energy after extensive exploration activities. The project reached a critical milestone last year with the signing of a consolidated Production and Profit-Sharing Agreement (PPSA) between the government and the energy firm.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland Central, Christopher Magomo, described the development as transformative for the province and the country at large.

"The discoveries excite us as a province. We are hopeful the benefits from exploration and the subsequent employment creation will see our population thrive," Magomo said while addressing the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) Strategic Workshop for Mashonaland Central currently underway in Kariba.

Under the PPSA, government secured a clear revenue-sharing framework and a 10 percent equity stake during the exploration phase through the Sovereign Wealth Fund, a move Magomo said strengthens national interests in the project.

"This positions us as the backbone of the country's future oil and gas requirements," he said, citing estimates that the Muzarabani basin could hold up to 300 million barrels of oil equivalent.

If commercialised, the Mukuyu discovery is expected to significantly reduce Zimbabwe's reliance on imported fuel, create hundreds of direct jobs and stimulate downstream industries such as power generation, petrochemicals and logistics. Invictus Energy is already planning its next exploration phase, including drilling the Masomo-1 well to target additional gas prospects east of the Mukuyu site.

Beyond hydrocarbons, Mashonaland Central is also recording strong performance in the mining sector. Magomo revealed that gold production in the province has surged from about 2 500 kilogrammes in 2020 to approximately 4 500 kilogrammes in 2025.

"This growth is fuelled by a revived investor climate," he said, highlighting the resuscitation of Ran Mine in Bindura, the revival of Shamva Gold Mine and the emergence of new operations such as the Magaya Mining Syndicate in Mazowe.

The OPC strategic workshop, which concludes today, has brought together provincial leadership to align these resource-driven developments with national priorities, including energy independence, industrialisation and job creation.

As exploration and mining activities gather momentum, Mashonaland Central is increasingly being viewed as a strategic province in Zimbabwe's long-term economic transformation agenda.