AGP Executive Report

Wildlife Research: Three male African wild dogs in Zambia have logged the longest recorded mammal movement in Africa, travelling 4,126 km in nine months using GPS collars, linking distant populations across Southern Africa. Industrial Value Addition: Bulawayo is positioning itself as a downstream steel and SADC export hub for Dinson Iron and Steel Company, with a proposed steel corridor connecting Manhize and Kwekwe. Education & Tech Skills: Government has ordered schools to prepare for the first major Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC) examinations, with a stronger science and technology bias ahead of full rollout. Traditional Health Innovation: First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa launched a nationwide Traditional Medicinal Herbs programme in Dande Valley, aiming to document indigenous knowledge and link it to modern research. Mining & Green Tech: Zimbabwe and China are pushing strategic minerals value chains, while China’s mining conference highlights autonomous equipment and clean-energy smart mining, including a cited Zimbabwe project cutting costs by about 75%. Policy & Governance: Bulawayo is exploring satellite tech to spot illegal development early, and climate experts are questioning a move to manage the Ngozi Mine landfill, warning visible clean-up may miss deeper climate risks. Regional Trade: Zimbabwe’s exports to COMESA rose to US$222m in 2025, and the country prepares to host the COMESA summit with a business forum to deepen investment and industrialisation. Public Sector Digital Learning: ZIPAM says it will modernise infrastructure and expand university collaboration after a China seminar on smart, green city governance and digital transformation.

Mining & Green Tech: China’s 2026 Mining Conference in Tianjin spotlighted autonomous trucks, real-time monitoring and smarter processing, with a cited Zimbabwe gold project using clean energy to cut costs by about 75%. Local Environment & Devolution: Bulawayo climate expert Anglistone Sibanda questions a plan to hand the Ngozi Mine waste site to Geo Pomona, warning it may tackle symptoms and bypass local scientific input. Urban Tech for Land Control: Bulawayo mayor David Coltart says the city is exploring satellite tech to spot illegal construction early and curb “land barons.” Public Sector Modernisation: ZIPAM says it will modernise infrastructure and expand university collaboration after a Zimbabwe-China seminar focused on digital transformation and green/smart city lessons. Telecoms & Connectivity: Zimbabwe’s satellite/LEO shift is highlighted as Starlink pressures regional mobile data pricing, while Zimbabwe also explores integrating satellite and fibre networks. Cybersecurity Education: A Victoria Falls A-level student used a cybersecurity project to show how phishing tricks people into handing over financial login details. Regional Trade Push: Zimbabwe courts investors for minerals beneficiation and value addition, while COMESA trade momentum shows exports rising to US$222m in 2025. Agriculture & Climate: El Niño planning continues, with officials urging farmers not to panic and pointing to early warning and drought-tolerant strategies.

Mining Green Tech: China’s mining expo in Tianjin spotlighted smart, cleaner operations, including a Zimbabwe gold project using clean energy to cut costs by about 75% versus diesel. Minerals Beneficiation Push: Zimbabwe is courting investors to build processing and refining capacity, offering access to mining titles and exploration blocks as it targets higher value from minerals. COMESA Trade Drive: Zimbabwe’s exports to COMESA rose to US$222m in 2025 (up 10.4%), ahead of the Harare summit and a business forum aimed at expanding regional value chains. Zimbabwe–China Digital & Industrial Links: VP Chiwenga says Zimbabwe wants to move from consuming tech to creating and exporting digital solutions, inviting Chinese partners for fibre, data centres and cloud services. Munhumutapa Day Logistics & Youth Housing: Mvurwi is gearing up for Munhumutapa Day with 100 000 expected and a housing scheme launching for 2 000 youths. El Niño Preparedness: Agriculture officials urge farmers not to panic, citing drought-tolerant crops, water harvesting and early warning systems for the 2026 season. Cybersecurity Awareness: A Victoria Falls student used an A-level project to show how phishing can trick users into handing over mobile-money and banking credentials. Skills Audit: Zimbabwe has registered 65 455 returnees from South Africa to match skills with local opportunities and support reintegration. Tourism Expo Wrap: Sanganai/Hlanganani in Masvingo ended with awards and strong investor interest, including plans for hospitality development around Tugwi/Mukosi.

Satellite & Connectivity: A new piece maps Zimbabwe’s satellite telecom journey from the Mazowe Earth Station (1985) to today’s LEO era, arguing Starlink-style throughput now dwarfs earlier national capacity and raises questions for gateway teleports, Q/V band licensing and a Harare PoP. Digital & Industry Partnerships: VP Constantino Chiwenga says Zimbabwe wants to move from consuming tech to creating and exporting digital solutions, inviting Chinese partners for fibre, data centres and cloud. Green Mining Push: At the China Mining Conference in Tianjin, Zimbabwe’s delegation highlights “win-win” mining partnerships and green, lower-energy processing, including examples of clean power cutting costs. Local Tech Skills: China Railway No. 9 Group plans a Youth Bridge Workshop with Harare Polytechnic to turn engineering experience into practical training and jobs. Mobile Network Update: Econet says it will switch off 3G by end-December 2027 while keeping 2G longer for rural users. Health Tech Access: Zimbabwe’s Lenacapavir HIV prevention rollout faces calls to include people who use and inject drugs, warning of an “inclusion challenge.” Education & Skills: BUSE capped 2,371 graduates and announced a pivot to science, innovation and technology; Zimbabwe also plans Africa Skills Week (Oct 12–16) to attract investors and partners. Governance & Appointments: The Constitutional Amendment Act takes effect as Mnangagwa makes key commission and ministry appointments, including leadership changes at Local Government and Public Works and several independent bodies. Energy & AI Security: A report warns AI-powered attacks can rapidly compromise organisations via PaperCut print software flaws, underscoring patching urgency. Tourism: Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Expo ends with awards, including wins for Great Zimbabwe University and others, as investor interest grows around major tourism projects.

UNESCO & AI Governance: UNESCO is set to convene a global forum in Riyadh (14–17 Sept) on ethical, “agentic” AI, with workshops on risks and opportunities from neurotechnology to synthetic biology, and it says 77 countries have been supported to build national AI strategies. Education Infrastructure: Zimbabwe’s plan to build 1,000 new schools aims to cut the education infrastructure gap, with the minister citing rural and satellite schools and noting the country’s wider deficit. BUSE Graduation & Skills Push: President Mnangagwa capped 2,371 graduates at Bindura University’s 25th graduation, with women at 53%, as the institution rebrands toward science, innovation and technology-led development. Digital Leap with China: VP Chiwenga says Zimbabwe wants to move from consuming technology to creating and exporting digital solutions, inviting Chinese partners for fibre, data centres, cloud and emerging tech. Mining Partnerships & Green Mining: Mines Minister Kambamura is pushing win-win, greener beneficiation as Zimbabwe participates in China’s mining conference. Connectivity Upgrade: Econet says it will switch off 3G by end-December 2027 while keeping 2G longer for rural users. Cybersecurity Warning: A global campaign using AI agents targeted PaperCut print software, highlighting the need for fast patching. HIV Prevention Inclusion: Zimbabwe’s Lenacapavir rollout faces calls to better include people who use and inject drugs, warning of an “inclusion challenge.” Local Industry & Jobs: China Railway No. 9 Group plans a Youth Bridge Workshop with Harare Polytechnic to strengthen practical engineering training and employment pathways. Energy Transition Finance: Africa GreenCo received additional funding to help renewable projects secure bankable routes to market across southern Africa.

Digital Connectivity & Child Safety: Zimbabwe is rolling out gateways on free Wi‑Fi hotspots and training teachers and parents to implement the Child Online Protection Policy, aiming to strengthen safer access for children online. Mobile Network Upgrade: Econet Zimbabwe plans to switch off its 3G network by end‑December 2027, pushing remaining users to migrate to 4G/5G and freeing spectrum for faster services. Energy & Jobs: Invictus Energy has awarded SLB a well services contract for the Musuma‑1 exploration well at Cabora Bassa, with drilling still targeted for November 2026. Skills for Industry: China Railway No. 9 Group is deepening ties with Harare Polytechnic through a Youth Bridge Workshop to boost practical engineering training and create pathways into employment. Local Manufacturing Push: Bulawayo is positioning itself to reclaim its industrial heartland status, with leaders citing low capacity utilisation and calling for investment to revive manufacturing. Cybersecurity Alert: A GreyNoise report says an AI‑driven attacker used autonomous agents to compromise hundreds of servers via PaperCut print software flaws, underscoring the need for emergency patching. Entrepreneurship & Tech: Old Mutual’s Value Creation Challenge (VCC6) crowned Nardopay as overall winner, backing Zimbabwe’s next wave of entrepreneurs across tech and creative industries.

Zimbabwe Mining & Value Addition: Sinomine (Bikita Minerals) says Zimbabwe’s ban on exporting unprocessed minerals won’t scare investors, pointing to $300m already spent and a further $500m lithium sulphate plant at Bikita. Energy Project Update: Intratrek Zimbabwe gets a Notice to Proceed to restart the long-delayed 100MW Gwanda solar project, with construction targeted within 24 months once the advance mobilisation payment is released. Oil & Gas Drilling Readiness: Invictus Energy awards SLB a drilling and well services contract for Musuma-1 at Cabora Bassa, with wellpad and rig mobilisation work accelerating ahead of a November 2026 spud. Digital Payments Integrity: RBZ shuts down ghost, fictitious and duplicate mobile money wallets after linking Civil Registry and subscriber records to strengthen identity checks. Broadcast Governance: Minister Zhemu Soda meets the new Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe board, urging strategic direction aligned with NDS2 and stronger ethics and accountability. Wildlife Tech for Conservation: ZimParks and IFAW fit 30 elephants in Hwange with GPS satellite collars to improve monitoring and reduce human-wildlife conflict. Tourism Finance & SME Push: Zimbabwe’s hotel pipeline is pegged at $500m, while EcoCash promotes its EcoCash Plus Business Wallet to SMEs at Sanganai/Hlanganani. Critical Minerals & Africa’s Share: A new analysis argues Africa must capture more value from critical minerals as global demand for batteries and green tech intensifies.

Energy & Infrastructure: Intratrek Zimbabwe is set for another advance mobilisation payment after ZPC issued a Notice to Proceed to restart the long-delayed US$132m Gwanda 100MW solar project, with completion required within 24 months. Digital Finance Regulation: The RBZ has shut down ghost, fictitious and duplicate mobile money wallets by linking Civil Registry data with mobile subscriber records, tightening identity checks to curb fraud and illicit flows. Public Health: Zimbabwean dementia cases could triple by 2050, prompting calls for earlier diagnosis, treatment and support to reduce stigma and improve care. Wildlife Tech for Conservation: ZimParks and IFAW have fitted 30 Hwange elephants with GPS satellite collars to improve monitoring, flag conflict hotspots and support land-use planning. Youth & Skills: Coding 4 Africa says 50,000+ pupils across 10 countries have been learning coding and computational thinking, even without computer labs. Entrepreneurship: NBCC 2026 National Finals will showcase youth business ideas at Prince Edward School in Harare on 11 September. Agriculture Innovation: FARM P3 is pushing mechanisation services for sorghum by backing investment-ready entrepreneurs and partnerships to scale proven models. Regional Trade Tech: Nigeria and Cameroon launched the Mfum-Ekok border modernisation push, starting with a joint assessment of the Ekok-Mfum one-stop border post to cut bottlenecks. Education/EdTech: Injini will invest $125,000 in an AI venture builder for early-stage EdTech teams across Southern Africa. Governance & Politics: Mnangagwa’s birthday has been declared Munhumutapa Day, a public holiday, drawing criticism over power consolidation.

China–Zimbabwe Trade & Tech Push: Zimbabwe’s VP Constantino Chiwenga met China’s Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang in Beijing, backing deeper investment and services trade ties ahead of the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), with opportunities flagged across digital services, finance, tourism, education and health. Tourism Value Chain Boost: President Mnangagwa opened the Sanganai/Hlanganani tourism expo in Masvingo, saying investment in tourism has more than tripled to US$132.3m in the first half and urging removal of barriers to unlock jobs and wider provincial opportunities. Mining Revival Under Court Scrutiny: Redwing Mining has filed for voluntary corporate rescue as it dewaters the Penhalonga gold mine after Namib Minerals’ 2025 acquisition, aiming to restore production with stronger ESG discipline. Agri-Tech to Scale: CIMMYT and IFAD’s FARM P3 is shifting Zimbabwe’s sorghum mechanisation from research to investment-ready partnerships, backing local entrepreneurs and service models to expand access for smallholders. AI for Education: Injini is launching a Southern Africa AI EdTech venture builder with US$125,000, selecting 12 early-stage teams across nine countries including Zimbabwe. Human Rights & Tech Loss: Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission commissioner Dr Martin Muduva died after an alleged axe attack in Harare; police are investigating a suspected domestic dispute after his wife also died following poison ingestion. Conservation Tech: Six elephants in Hwange have been fitted with GPS satellite collars to improve tracking, corridor planning and early warning for human-wildlife conflict. Solar & Power Reality Check: Energy officials reiterated plans for solar-powered rural business units and school electrification, while commentary stresses the difference between business units and full household grid access. Lithium Moves Overseas: LOHUM says it dispatched its first lithium ore from Zimbabwe and is targeting lithium carbonate production within 2–3 years as India builds battery supply security.

Data Centres & Sovereign AI: Vodafone and Cassava have agreed to build Africa Data Centres Egypt, starting with 20MW capacity in the first three years and potentially scaling to 200MW, alongside a separate sovereign AI data-centre plan to give local firms and government access to Nvidia computing as a service. Conservation Tech: Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park has fitted six savannah elephants with GPS satellite collars, bringing monitored elephants to 30 and improving tracking for conflict prevention and corridor planning. Skills & Reintegration: Zimbabwe has registered 65,000 returnees at Beitbridge for a national skills audit, with engineers, pharmacists, teachers and nurses flagged for bridging courses and trade testing. Mining Governance: Government is moving to make ESG compliance a condition for mining rights, treating environmental impact assessments as life-of-mine commitments rather than just approval paperwork. Digital Economy Partnerships: Zimbabwe is inviting Chinese tech firms and investors to partner on smart logistics, green data centres, cross-border e-commerce and digital financial services, positioning the country as a digital gateway into SADC and AfCFTA. Local Tech & Innovation: Econet is pushing AI and solar to improve network quality, including an Ndebele-speaking customer chatbot nearing completion. Legal/Business: A Bulawayo High Court dismissed Techmate’s bid for summary debt judgment against Jena Mines over disputed mining service invoices. Human Rights & Safety: Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission commissioner Dr Martin Muduva died after an axe attack, with his wife also dying after reportedly taking poison; police are investigating.

Zimbabwe–China Investment Push: VP Dr Constantino Chiwenga is in Beijing to court value-addition and manufacturing investment, arguing Zimbabwe’s resources plus China’s industrial know-how can deliver a “win-win” push for beneficiation and industrialisation. Smart Transport Enforcement: Zimbabwe is moving toward a driver penalty points system, linked to a new smart traffic management setup using cameras to detect offences and escalate licence suspensions or cancellations. Digital Trade Links: Zimbabwe’s trade team visited Kyrgyzstan’s IT division, exploring digital cooperation as both countries eye broader UN Security Council engagement. AI, Data Centres & Energy: A fresh look at “green AI” asks whether smarter hosting can cut internet power use, or whether rising AI demand will offset gains. Policing Tech Preview: China’s public security expo showcased robotic and drone systems for hazardous patrols and explosive detection—an early glimpse of future law enforcement tools. Agriculture Drones: Zimbabwe’s drone use is expanding in crops and livestock, with demonstrations at a lumpy skin disease field day highlighting faster monitoring and lower spraying costs. Property & Tax Pressure: ZIMRA is widening tax enforcement by requesting detailed homeowner and tenant data from housing estates, while commentary urges Zimbabwe’s real estate to focus on economic activity, not just land prices. Climate Risk Watch: Experts warn El Niño-linked below-normal rainfall could trigger budget shocks and force shifts toward food and nutrition security. Health & Tech Startups: A Zimbabwean entrepreneur is using AI to help customers match insurance products to needs, aiming to reduce manual, agent-heavy processes. Online Abuse & Governance: A campaign on banning nudification apps and tackling Big Tech highlights how online abuse is increasingly spilling into real-world harm for women in politics.

Smart Transport & Safety: Zimbabwe is moving toward a driver penalty points system, linked to a new smart traffic management setup using cameras to detect offences and potentially suspend or cancel licences for repeat offenders. Climate & Food Security: Experts warn El Niño could trigger a budget shock for Zimbabwe if rainfall is below normal, forcing funds to shift toward food and nutrition needs. Agri Tech: Drones are being demonstrated as a practical tool for Zimbabwean farmers to monitor crops, manage pests and diseases, and cut costs in spraying and fertiliser spreading. Policing with Tech: Zimbabwe Republic Police has deployed drones in Mutare to monitor illegal activities such as illegal mining and touting under the Smart Policing programme. Energy & Connectivity: Econet is rolling out solar and battery backup across its network after AI flagged power disruptions as a major cause of faults, aiming to keep services running during outages. Mining & Industry: Rockwell Automation is partnering with Mimosa Mine and Mine Elect on cybersecurity and digital modernisation to strengthen operational resilience. Tax & Housing: ZIMRA is intensifying enforcement by demanding landlord and tenant details from housing estates, including under a presumptive rental income tax regime. AI in Health: A Zimbabwe trial found that a digital “pillbox” adherence tool improved viral suppression at 6 months for young people with HIV, though the effect faded after the device was withdrawn. Trade & Investment: VP Chiwenga is set to visit China to pursue value-addition investment, including digital trade discussions tied to the Xiongan conference.

Tax Enforcement: ZIMRA has started pulling homeowners’ associations and landlords into its rental-income crackdown, demanding detailed owner and tenant information from estates like Arlington Estate in Harare and Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate, under Section 39 of the Income Tax Act. Judiciary Shake-up: New judges and a new Appeals Court president were sworn in, with Justice Charles Hungwe appointed Court of Appeal president and additional Supreme Court bench members elevated from the High Court. Digital & AI in Services: Econet is expanding AI customer support with a Ndebele-speaking chatbot, while Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zimbabwe launched SME fibre-plus bundles including Microsoft 365, cloud backup and POS fiscalisation. Smart Policing: Police in Mutare deployed drones as part of Smart Policing to monitor illegal mining, touting and other crime. Cybercrime Case: A Midlands State University computer science student accused of hacking CABS and stealing over US$1.1m was denied bail and remanded. Public Health Tech: A Zimbabwe trial found that a digital “pillbox” with reminders improved viral suppression at 6 months for young people with HIV, though the effect faded after the device was withdrawn. Energy & Industry: Econet is rolling out solar and battery backup to cut network faults linked to power disruptions, and government opened Cabora Bassa for oil and gas investors while classifying coal as a critical mineral.

Zimbabwe–SA Trade: South Africa’s agricultural exports to Zimbabwe hit about US$1.2bn in 2025, making Zim a top destination and underlining the push for deeper value addition and regional value chains. AI in Telecom: Econet is using AI to cut network faults by tackling power disruptions, rolling out solar-plus-battery support, and plans a Ndebele-speaking customer-support chatbot later this month. Mining Modernisation & Cybersecurity: Rockwell Automation will work with Mimosa Mine and Mine Elect on a digital migration focused on secure connectivity, network segmentation and operational resilience. Public Health in Mining: A Zimbabwe study flags a “deadly triple threat” in artisanal mining—silicosis, TB and HIV—especially among young workers. Education Tech Funding: Injini opens applications for an eight-month AI EdTech venture builder across nine Southern African countries, prioritising teams with classroom experience. Local Tech & Connectivity: Liquid Intelligent Zimbabwe launches SME connectivity bundles combining fibre, Microsoft 365, cloud backup and POS fiscalisation. Governance & Regulation: Mnangagwa appoints a new BAZ board, while ZBC starts a door-to-door TV and radio licence inspection drive in Harare estates. Cybercrime Case: A Midlands State University student accused of hacking CABS and siphoning over US$1.1m is denied bail and remanded.

Broadcast Regulation: President Mnangagwa appoints a new seven-member BAZ board, but all members come from the same region, sparking questions about fair national representation in Zimbabwe’s broadcasting regulator. Urban Compliance: Chinhoyi gives property owners just two weeks to repair dilapidated buildings, with critics saying the rush is tied to political events and shifts costs onto ratepayers. Engineering & Youth Support: Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers’ Women’s Committee donates sanitary wear and essentials to Khayelihle Children’s Village, backing vulnerable children with both care and dignity. Cybercrime Case: An MSU student accused of hacking CABS and siphoning over US$1m is denied bail and returns to court on 22 September as investigations continue. Connectivity on the Move: Malandu Bus Service highlights how rural travellers are staying on WhatsApp during long trips, using onboard connectivity to reduce isolation. AI Customer Service: Econet Ai is nearing launch of an Ndebele-speaking customer-support chatbot, trained on recorded Ndebele speech and set to expand further by end-2026. Mining Policy & ESG: Zimbabwe links critical-minerals permitting and ESG compliance more tightly to project economics, with permits increasingly shaping financing and timelines. Critical Minerals Exports: Government suspends antimony and tungsten exports to push in-country value addition and beneficiation. Renewables for Cities: Gweru eyes a 200MW solar project via a joint venture to diversify municipal revenue and potentially feed surplus power to the grid. Health Tech Milestone: Mpilo Hospital becomes the first Bulawayo public facility to offer complex knee surgeries and total hip replacements after specialist training. Livestock Vaccine: MEVAC LSD vaccine rollout is hailed as a major step in protecting Zimbabwe’s cattle herd against lumpy skin disease.

Mining ESG & tenure: Zimbabwe’s Mines ministry says ESG compliance is moving from a report to a gatekeeper for mining-rights access, renewal and extensions, with stronger scrutiny on water, biodiversity and community commitments. Broadcast enforcement: ZBC starts a two-week door-to-door TV and radio licence inspection drive across 28 Harare suburbs from 7–18 September, with teams checking households and issuing/renewing licences. Livestock vaccine milestone: Zimbabwe rolls out the MEVAC LSD vaccine for lumpy skin disease, with first batches received in August 2025 and distribution via Chems Africa. Renewables push: Gweru eyes a 200MW solar plant via a joint venture to diversify municipal revenue and potentially feed surplus power to the grid. Gold traceability: Fidelity Gold Refinery says blockchain-based traceability and responsible sourcing are drawing more international buyers into Zimbabwe’s gold value chain. Public health warning: India flags Abhayrab rabies vaccine batch KE25012 as substandard/potentially spurious after a potency failure, prompting tighter vigilance. Mining export controls: Zimbabwe suspends antimony and tungsten exports (including ores and concentrates) to accelerate local beneficiation. Tech & travel risk: Zimbabwe border officials warn that AI travel advice can mislead tourists on visa rules, causing trouble at entry points. Housing infrastructure: NRZ pension fund tenders engineering design and supervision for 5,300 Bulawayo housing/mixed-use stands, including roads, drainage, water, sewer and electrical works. Education reform: Heritage-Based Curriculum exams begin next month, with Zimsec set to become the sole examination board and a stronger science/technology bias built in. Conservation tech: Africa is using cross-border wildlife censuses combining aerial counts, camera traps and tracking devices to monitor populations under pressure.