By Tidi Kwidini| ZIMDABA LONDON 2018, the biggest foreign investment conference since the leadership change in Zimbabwe last November, is taking place in London this week.
Organised by UK and Zimbabwe-based Consolidated African Services (CAS), Zimdaba London 2018 will be held on 15 and 16 March at the Royal Geographical
Society in Kensington, London.
“This conference is a key initiative and will be one of the most effective ways to engage, in one place, with influential figures in business, media and politics. The
conference will help pave the way forward for Zimbabwe’s economic recovery programme,” said Nicholas Holme, Principal Director CAS UK.
“The Zimbabwe government are keen to work with investors from all over the world
who want to engage with the country. It’s an opportune time for Zimbabwe to
showcase its significant potential as an attractive destination for foreign investment”
he added.
The Zimbabwean delegation, which will be headed by the Principal Secretary from the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr Ozias Hove, will also include Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando; Deputy Minister of Finance & Economic Development, Terence Mukupe; Minister of Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development, Dr. Mike Bimha; and Simon Khaya Moyo, Minister of Energy and Power Development.
Chairman and co-founder of Atlas Mara, Bob Diamond, one of the conference
sponsors, will speak on the benefits of this diverse initiative and the positive impact it
will have on the Zimbabwean economy.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has committed to making Zimbabwe an attractive
and safe destination to conduct business, as well as revamping Zimbabwe’s
infrastructure, with the intention of taking Zimbabwe to middle income status by
2030.
The over-subscribed event will also include an exclusive breakfast, hosted by
leading investment bank, Exotix Capital. The early morning function will feature key
presentations from the leading delegates.
Duncan Wales, CEO of Exotix Capital, said “For Exotix, given our long-term
experience in Africa, the importance of bringing Zimbabwe’s key policy makers together, with international investors at such a critical point in Zimbabwe’s history cannot be overstated. We are delighted to be able to contribute to that process.”
With the economy already beginning to show signs of recovery, experts expect to
see several billion dollars flowing into Zimbabwe this year. Delegates at ministerial
level will use Zimdaba London 2018 to endorse Zimbabwe’s re-engagement plan for
inward reinvestment.
Sponsored by Exotix Capital, Zimbabwe Diaspora Investment Group, fastjet and
Atlas Mara among others, the Zimbabwe London Investment Forum has been
created to bring together business leaders, investors from the UK and Europe, and
high level corporate and governmental delegates from Zimbabwe, to discuss and
action investment opportunities in Zimbabwe.
Conference organiser Consolidated Africa Service Ltd is a young, ambitious
organisation with Zimbabwean roots, a Southern Africa focus, and interests in social
capital, mining, energy generation and other key sectors.