Dangote Returns to Zimbabwe With $1B Investment Plan

Following a stalled plan in 2015 under Mugabe, Aliko Dangote made his return to Zimbabwe with an investment plan to the tune of USD one billion. The projects include a cement plant, a power plant, a logistics hub, and an oil pipeline.

On 12 November 2025, Aliko Dangote signed an MoU with the Government of Zimbabwe for the above. The signature was witnessed by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. President Mnangagwa highlighted that Dangote’s plan aligns well with #ZimbabweVision2030.

Talking to reporters after the signing, Dangote commended President Mnangagwa’s leadership for turning the Zimbabwean economy around and is glad that his investments are aligned with the National Development Plan (#NDP). As ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’, the new business-friendly environment gave Dangote the confidence to come back to Zimbabwe and invest.

Dangote gave more details about his billion-dollar investment plan. Firstly, he plans to build a cement plant with an annual capacity of 1.5 million tonnes. Then, he plans to build a coal-fired thermal station to power his industrial operations and sell the rest to the grid.

Afterwards, Dangote will set his sights on a regional 2,200-kilometer oil pipeline linking Bulawayo, crossing Botswana, and ending at Walvis Bay. The pipeline will lower fuel costs. In return, Dangote expects Zimbabwe to purchase refined petroleum from its mega refinery in Nigeria.

Finally, Dangote plans to enhance logistics infrastructure across Zimbabwe with depots and distribution centers. These facilities will streamline supply chains by speeding up distribution and lowering transport costs.

The billion-dollar Foreign Direct Investment (#FDI) by Dangote Group in Zimbabwe is just a ballpark estimate, and the exact figure will be computed as projects get underway. The regional pipeline perhaps represents the most expensive portion due to its sheer scale and size.