Zimbabwe Studies Investment Concept and Nickel Downstreaming at PT IMIP

The integrated industrial estate development model of Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) is seen as highly relevant for building partnership-based integrated manufacturing zones. The latest recognition came from the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA). From 8 to 12 June 2026, the investment coordinating body of the Southern African nation visited the IMIP estate for a comparative study of the integrated nickel downstreaming industrial area. IMIP is considered a benchmarking destination in strengthening Indonesia’s position as a relevant and experienced development partner at the global level. During the agenda, several areas of the IMIP industrial estate were visited, ranging from the airport, jetty, production areas, and areas outside the estate such as the Morowali Metal Industry Polytechnic. The visiting ZIDA delegation included Noel Mahombera (Head of Business Development), Robin Musonza (Research Manager), Pardon Nyandoro (Investment Manager for Economic Affairs), Davison Vandira (Investment Manager for Preparation and Development), and Nyasha Makuni (Investment Analyst). Representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in Harare were also included. Head of Business Development at ZIDA, Noel Mahombera, acknowledged that the focus of his delegation’s visit was to study the concept of natural resource-based industrial estate development, steel industry downstreaming, integrated estate governance, supply chain integration, investment facilitation, as well as logistics and export systems. According to him, the IMIP estate development model is very relevant for the Zimbabwean Government’s efforts to strengthen the national steel sector and increase the added value of the mineral resource-based industry. ‘Zimbabwe wants to open opportunities for inter-country cooperation and see Chinese investment with Indonesia in the type of business model at IMIP. ZIDA wants to know how the cooperation system works between these two countries,’ he explained during the visit received by IMIP management representatives. In the meeting, the Zimbabwean delegation also inquired about the investment value of a number of supporting facilities at IMIP such as the airport, jetty, and accommodation. The high enthusiasm and technical questions asked by the delegation indicate Zimbabwe’s serious interest in adapting the IMIP model within the context of their national industrial development, especially in terms of investment structure, logistics capacity, and human resource management. This visit opens up real opportunities for strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Zimbabwe in the field of investment, particularly in investment promotion, mineral downstreaming, and natural resource-based industrial estate development. This also strengthens Indonesia’s positioning and image as a partner for Africa’s industrialisation development. Indonesia gains both geopolitical and economic advantages, especially amidst the increasing global competition over critical minerals in Africa.