Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 19 | Page 44

BROAD AND NECESSARY REFORMS HAVE ALREADY BEEN PUT IN PLACE TO POSITION ZIMBABWE AS AN ATTRACTIVE INVESTMENT DESTINATION.

CIOopinion

OPINION CIO OPINION

BROAD AND NECESSARY REFORMS HAVE ALREADY BEEN PUT IN PLACE TO POSITION ZIMBABWE AS AN ATTRACTIVE INVESTMENT DESTINATION.

//////////////////

Never Ncube, CEO of Dandemutande

Seizing opportunities in Zimbabwe’ s new era

As Zimbabwe courts investors and ramps up efforts to create a business-friendly environment, connectivity and communication will be key to forging a path towards the country’ s digital future according to Never Ncube, CEO of Dandemutande, a licensed Internet Access Provider and ISP.

Following the events of November 2017, there has been a seismic shift in the political and business environment underpinned by the new maxim‘ Zimbabwe is open for business’. Because of a PR offensive by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has seen an upsurge in investment conferences across various sectors as investors seek to understand the potential investment opportunities available. These and other efforts have already led to the government securing US $ 15 billion worth of investment commitments from foreign investors to date, while the diaspora community express renewed interest in working with a new Zimbabwe.

Broad and necessary reforms have already been put in place to position Zimbabwe as an attractive investment destination including the effective repeal of key areas of the Indigenisation Act, with the exception of the mining sector( specifically extractive mining of diamonds and platinum), any investor can now acquire or control business without limitation on shareholding. Significant changes have also been made to the Electoral Act to allow for the provision of free and fair elections, while the government has also committed to inviting international observers to witness future elections in the country.
Locally, there has been an upsurge in capacity utilisation and overall industrial growth. While the country does continue to experience cash liquidity shortages and foreign currency availability continues to be constrained, the government is actively working to normalise the situation as much as possible to create a productive
44 INTELLIGENTCIO www. intelligentcio. com