The key points regarding Qatari investment in Zimbabwe from recent reports and the context around Gambakwe’s message are as follows:

  • There has been a high-profile visit by Qatar’s Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani to Zimbabwe, where a delegation pledged a historic US$19 billion investment package. This has been reported as one of the largest foreign capital commitments to Zimbabwe in decades, aimed at accelerating economic transformation across critical sectors such as mining, energy, housing, agriculture, and tourism.

  • The investment is portrayed as part of Qatar’s wider Africa investment strategy, with pledges also made in other African countries like Zambia, Burundi, and Botswana. It is framed as a long-term strategic partnership aiming at sustainable and integrated development rather than short-term speculative investments.

  • Qatar’s Mubarak Mansour Group and the State of Qatar emphasize sectors including oil, agriculture, food security, tourism, housing, cyber security, ports, and airports as key areas for investment. Gambakwe says this group is Egyptian and not really Qatari.

  • Despite these publicized pledges and plans, there can be skepticism or lack of visible tangible evidence of money actually being invested or projects implemented on the ground, which may be the basis of Gambakwe’s position that no clear signs of Qatari investment are apparent in Zimbabwe yet.

  • Qatar has ambitious foreign direct investment (FDI) goals overall, including a target to attract US$100 billion in FDI by 2030, with various incentives and programs to promote investment both domestically and internationally.

  • Challenges remain for actual investment realization including Zimbabwe’s political, policy, and economic conditions, which may delay or complicate translating pledges into concrete investments.

In summary, while official pledges and high-level commitments of significant Qatari investment in Zimbabwe have been announced, the actual presence or impact of such investment on the ground is not evidently clear, which aligns with Gambakwe’s main message that there are no visible signs of Qatari investment in Zimbabwe despite what has been announced or promised.

According to Gambakwe, there has been no actual investment from Qatar in Zimbabwe because the agreements signed are only Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and not legally binding, concrete deals.

He provides several reasons for his position:

    • MOUs are Not Binding: He emphasizes that MOUs are merely expressions of intent and do not guarantee that any investment will actually take place.
    • Lack of Specifics: The agreements lack crucial details such as specific projects, investment amounts, or timelines for implementation, which suggests they are not serious investment plans.
    • Political Maneuver: Gambakwe believes the signing of these agreements is a public relations stunt by the Zimbabwean government, intended to create an impression of progress and international cooperation, especially with a looming election.
    • Historical Context: He points to a history of similar unfulfilled agreements with other countries, making him skeptical about the current pledges with Qatar.
    • Lack of Transparency: Gambakwe also highlights a lack of transparency, as the public has not been given access to the full details of the agreements.

Broader African Tour

 

  • August 13, 2025: The multi-billion-dollar investment tour across Africa, led by Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani, began in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
  • Earlier in the Week (Pre-August 22, 2025): The delegation was in Zambia, where they met with President Hakainde Hichilema and signed a US$19 billion partnership agreement.
  • August 21, 2025: Sheikh Mansour and his delegation arrived in Botswana and signed a landmark US$12 billion investment deal with President Duma Boko.

 

Visit to Zimbabwe

 

  • August 22, 2025 (Friday): The Qatari delegation was expected to arrive in Zimbabwe via Victoria Falls International Airport.
  • August 24, 2025 (Sunday): News reports confirm the delegation’s arrival in Zimbabwe and the official start of their three-day visit. The delegation was received by Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, in Victoria Falls.
  • During the Three-Day Visit (August 24-26, 2025):
    • The delegation held a high-level meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House.
    • They signed bilateral investment agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth a total of US$19 billion.
    • The agreements covered key national sectors, including agriculture, energy, tourism, and infrastructure.
    • Invictus Energy, the company exploring for oil and gas in the Muzarabani Basin, signed a private agreement with Al Mansour Holdings.
    • The delegation toured key sites in Victoria Falls, a visit led by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi.
    • A representative of Al Mansour Holdings publicly expressed commitment to a strong relationship with Zimbabwe.

 

Key Aspects of the Meeting

 

  • Delegation Leader and Purpose: The delegation was led by His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani, a member of Qatar’s ruling family. The primary purpose of his visit was to formalize partnerships and initiate key and strategic investment agreements across priority national sectors in Zimbabwe. The visit was hailed as a significant step towards attracting foreign direct investment.
  • Royal Endorsement: Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi highlighted that the visit by a member of a royal family is the “ultimate endorsement of a country’s safety and appeal,” indicating that the destination is considered “safe, peaceful, and worth visiting.”
  • Reciprocity: The delegation, operating under Al Mansour Holdings, is visiting Southern African countries to explore public-private partnerships. The visit to Zimbabwe is part of these efforts to establish diplomatic, economic, and strategic cooperation.
  • Tour of Victoria Falls: The delegation arrived in Victoria Falls, marking the beginning of a three-day visit. They enjoyed a tour of the city, which Minister Rwodzi noted shows the delegation’s strong interest in investing in the country’s tourism infrastructure.

While the delegation is led by a member of the Qatari royal family, Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani, who is based in Qatar, the broader Mansour Group is an Egyptian multinational conglomerate.

  • Headquarters: The Mansour Group’s headquarters are in Cairo, Egypt. The company has offices in both Cairo and Alexandria.
  • Investment Arm: The group’s private investment subsidiary, Man Capital, is based in London. This subsidiary is responsible for many of the group’s international deals and is run by a different member of the Mansour family, Loutfy Mansour.

The presence of a prominent member of the Qatari royal family at the helm of Al Mansour Holdings suggests a strong connection to Qatar’s investment strategy, even if the conglomerate’s roots are in Egypt. The investment tour across Africa appears to be a joint effort between the Qatari royal family’s influence and the extensive financial and logistical capabilities of the Mansour Group.

Agreements, Sectors, and Amounts

 

  • Signed Agreements: The delegation signed bilateral investment agreements, including Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Agricultural Development Authority (ARDA).
  • Investment Amount: The agreements are reportedly worth a total of US$19 billion.
  • Key Sectors: The investment will be directed towards a variety of key sectors, including:
    • Agriculture: Particularly focused on beef production, irrigation development, and livestock production.
    • Tourism: Investments in tourism infrastructure, with a focus on Victoria Falls.
    • Energy: The delegation signed a strategic agreement with Invictus Energy, a company exploring for oil and gas in the Muzarabani Basin, to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector.
    • Infrastructure: The agreements are aimed at attracting foreign direct investment for national projects and infrastructure development.
    • Other Sectors: The documents also mention other priority national sectors, including trade, housing, cybersecurity, and airports.

The Qatari investment deal, led by Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani and Al Mansour Holdings, is part of a broader tour of Southern Africa. This makes for an interesting comparison of the agreements signed with Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana.

Here is a summary comparing the key aspects of the deals:

Aspect Zimbabwe Deal Zambia Deal Botswana Deal
Total Value US$19 billion US$19 billion US$12 billion
Key Sectors Agriculture (beef, irrigation, livestock), Energy (oil & gas), Tourism, Infrastructure, Housing, Cybersecurity, and Airports. Banking and Finance (national investment bank), Housing (1.5 million houses), Agriculture, Transport, Mining, Communication, and Energy. Infrastructure, Energy, Mining (including diamond refinement), Agriculture, Defence, and Cybersecurity.
Primary Focus Broad-based economic recovery and diversification, with a strong emphasis on agriculture, tourism, and a strategic energy partnership. Financial sector reform and large-scale infrastructure projects (housing, smart cities), alongside core sectors like energy and mining. Diversification of the economy away from its traditional reliance on diamonds, with a notable focus on technology (cybersecurity, defence).
Local Partner(s) Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Agricultural Development Authority (ARDA), and Invictus Energy. Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Botswana Development Corporation (BDC).
Context The deal is positioned as a major foreign direct investment boost for Zimbabwe’s “Second Republic” economic reforms. The deal follows a previous visit by President Hichilema to Qatar in 2023 and is seen as a culmination of those efforts. The deal comes at a crucial time for Botswana’s economy, which has been hit by a downturn in the global diamond market. It is seen as a key strategy to diversify the economy.
Implementation The articles mention bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) being signed. MoUs were signed, with President Hichilema emphasizing the need for an implementation plan and the creation of a joint steering committee. The investment is planned to be deployed over a ten-year timeline. The agreement includes a focus on technology transfer and human capital development.
Comparison Summary:

 

  • Investment Amount: Both Zimbabwe and Zambia secured a larger, US12 billion. This difference in value may reflect the specific investment proposals and the economic priorities of each country.
  • Sectoral Focus: While all three deals cover a wide range of sectors, each country has a slightly different emphasis.
    • Zimbabwe highlights agriculture (particularly beef) and tourism, alongside energy.
    • Zambia‘s deal is notable for its specific focus on financial sector reform and a massive housing project.
    • Botswana‘s agreement is strategically aimed at diversifying its economy beyond diamonds, with a unique inclusion of defence and cybersecurity.
  • Local Partnerships: All three countries involved their respective state-owned investment or development corporations (ARDA, IDC, BDC), demonstrating a public-private partnership model and the importance of a state-backed entity to manage and facilitate such large-scale foreign investment.
  • Strategic Context: The timing and nature of the deals are a clear response to each nation’s specific economic challenges and goals. For Zambia and Botswana, the deals are a direct answer to their current economic pressures (energy crisis and diamond market downturn, respectively). For Zimbabwe, it is framed as a critical step in its long-term economic transformation.

 

Qatar’s economy is predominantly based on its vast hydrocarbon resources, primarily natural gas and oil. These sectors are the cornerstone of its economic prosperity, accounting for the majority of government revenue, GDP, and export earnings.

Here’s a breakdown of the key economic activities in Qatar:

1. Hydrocarbon Sector (Oil & Gas):

Natural Gas: Qatar holds the world’s third-largest proven natural gas reserves and is a leading exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The country’s massive North Field is the world’s largest non-associated gas field, and there are ongoing expansion projects to further increase LNG production capacity.

Oil: While natural gas has surpassed oil as the largest contributor to GDP, oil production and export remain a significant economic activity. Petroleum and related products are major exports.

2. Diversification and Non-Hydrocarbon Sectors: Recognizing the need for a sustainable and resilient economy, Qatar has embarked on a strategic diversification plan, laid out in the Qatar National Vision 2030. This vision aims to reduce dependency on hydrocarbons and develop a knowledge-based, diversified economy. Key non-hydrocarbon sectors include:

Manufacturing: The manufacturing industry focuses on products that utilize the country’s abundant energy resources, such as petrochemicals, fertilizers, steel, and construction materials.

Construction and Infrastructure: Driven by rapid development and major projects like the 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums, Hamad International Airport, and other urban developments, this sector has seen significant growth.

Financial Services: Doha has emerged as a key financial hub in the Middle East. The sector includes banking, insurance, asset management, and fintech, attracting international investors and businesses.

Tourism and Hospitality: Qatar is actively working to position itself as a global tourism destination. Investments in hotels, resorts, and cultural attractions have been a major focus, especially with the hosting of the FIFA World Cup.

Logistics and Transport: Leveraging its strategic geographical location and a major port like Hamad Port, Qatar is developing into a global logistics and re-export hub. The aviation industry, with Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport, is a significant part of this sector.

Education and Healthcare: The government has made substantial investments in human capital, building “Education City” with international university branches and developing a world-class healthcare system.

Technology and Innovation: There is a growing focus on developing a digital economy and investing in emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and 3D printing.

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