Zimbabwe Studies IMIP Downstreaming Model to Strengthen Mineral and Steel Industry

A delegation from Zimbabwe, a country rich in gold, platinum, diamonds and other minerals, conducted a benchmarking visit to the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) in Central Sulawesi from 8-12 June 2026 to study the development of mineral resource downstreaming. Noel Mahombera, Head of Business Development at the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA), stated that the agency was studying the benefit-sharing ecosystem and how Indonesia transforms raw materials into high-value-added products. The Zimbabwean government plans to strengthen its national steel sector and attract foreign investors, and views the industrial estate model operated by IMIP as highly relevant to these plans. The visit focused on learning about the concept of natural resource-based industrial estate development, steel industry downstreaming, integrated area management, supply chain integration, investment facilitation, and logistics and export systems. Mahombera explained that Zimbabwe wants to open up opportunities for bilateral cooperation and understand the investment patterns established between China and Indonesia through the business model applied at IMIP. The delegation also enquired about the investment value of various supporting facilities at IMIP, such as the airport, jetty, and accommodation, showing interest not only in investment aspects but also in management structures, logistics capacity, and human resource development. The delegation assessed that the IMIP model has the potential to be adapted to support national industrial development in Zimbabwe. The visit is also seen as having the potential to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Zimbabwe in the field of investment, particularly in investment promotion, mineral downstreaming, and the development of natural resource-based industrial estates. Furthermore, this initiative could enhance Indonesia’s positioning and image as an industrialisation development partner in the African region. Amidst increasing global competition for critical minerals in Africa, Indonesia stands to gain geopolitical and economic benefits through strengthened investment and industrialisation cooperation.