Econet InfraCo plans industrial park near Harare airport

Econet InfraCo has appointed an architectural firm to develop a comprehensive masterplan for a large-scale industrial park to be established on a 300-hectare site near Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare.

The project forms part of the Econet Group's broader strategy to leverage its infrastructure capabilities to drive industrialisation, technology development and export-led growth in Zimbabwe.

Econet Group chief executive officer Douglas Mboweni said the appointed architects have been tasked with benchmarking the development against successful industrial and technology parks in Asia, where integrated, export-focused zones have played a catalytic role in economic transformation.

"We want to create a world-class one-stop shop for companies targeting export markets," said Mboweni.

"This industrial park is being designed to support a new generation of globally competitive businesses - from advanced manufacturing and logistics to technology and agritech enterprises."

Mboweni said the development will also house Econet's own data centre services, positioning the park as a critical digital backbone for companies operating within the zone and beyond.

Once the masterplan is completed, Econet InfraCo plans to engage government to secure the necessary approvals and propose a package of investor incentives aimed at enhancing the park's competitiveness as a regional investment destination.

"Our objective is to work closely with government to ensure the project aligns with national development priorities, while also offering an attractive and predictable operating environment for international and local investors," Mboweni said.

The industrial park will feature dedicated technology hubs designed to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly among young Zimbabweans seeking to build scalable, tech-enabled businesses.

The site was strategically selected for its proximity to Zimbabwe's main international airport - a key advantage for export-oriented firms - as well as the availability of reliable water resources. The development will be supported by independent power supply infrastructure, internal service roads, modern security systems and centralised administration facilities.

To implement the project, Econet InfraCo will establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will oversee the development, management and global marketing of the industrial park.

The announcement comes shortly after Econet revealed plans to list Econet InfraCo on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX), subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. The listing is expected to unlock long-term capital to support infrastructure expansion.

Econet InfraCo owns, operates and manages Econet's national portfolio of passive telecommunications and infrastructure assets, including telecommunications towers, power infrastructure and real estate, making it Zimbabwe's largest private infrastructure group.

"Infrastructure is the foundation of sustainable economic growth," said Mboweni. "This project is about building platforms that allow businesses, innovators and exporters to thrive - not just today, but for decades to come."