President Emmerson Mnangagwa presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the Palm River Energy Industrial Park in Beitbridge on 24 February 2025, marking the launch of one of Zimbabwe’s most ambitious industrial projects.
With a US$3.6 billion investment, the project will be developed in two phases, starting with an initial US$237 million injection in the first two years. Spanning a 12-year construction period, this initiative is expected to drive significant industrial growth in the country.
Located 20 kilometers west of Beitbridge, the 5,100-hectare site is within a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), aligning with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 to industrialize Zimbabwe.
The facility will have a one-million-tonne annual coke production capacity, supplying essential raw materials for steel manufacturing.
Additionally, the Ferrochrome Smelting Plant is projected to produce 100,000 tonnes of high-carbon ferrochrome, with an eventual target of 200,000 tonnes in its first phase.
The project will also feature a 1,200-megawatt (MW) coal-fired thermal power station, which will boost Zimbabwe’s energy security by supplementing the national grid.
Beyond its industrial and energy contributions, the initiative is a major employment driver, having already created 400 jobs, with projections exceeding 2,000 as development advances.
Anchored in National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which prioritizes human capital development and infrastructure expansion, the Palm River Energy Industrial Park will play a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s economic transformation.
The project joins other landmark developments such as the Manhize Steel Plant, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s emergence as a key player in global industrialization.
