Dangote’s technical team arrives in Zimbabwe to kick-start US$1 billion projects

By Staff Reporter

FOLLOWING high-level meetings with President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week, Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote’s technical team is expected to arrive in Zimbabwe Sunday to begin preliminary work on major new investments.

Dangote has pledged to invest more than US$1 billion into projects spanning cement manufacturing, power generation and the development of a fuel pipeline.

The renewed engagement comes a decade after his 2015 investment proposals which included plans to develop the Sengwa coal fields and construct a 2,800MW coal-fired power station collapsed amid red tape, bureaucratic delays and alleged demands for kickbacks from government officials.

Speaking at the Bard Santner Golf Day Saturday night, Dangote’s fixer, Josey Mahachi, said there was “no time to rest,” confirming that a team of engineers and geologists dispatched by the billionaire would touch down Sunday afternoon to begin groundwork.

“Aliko is quite happy with Zimbabwe, and tomorrow the team he has sent is arriving in the afternoon.

“There is no time to rest; just to show you who Aliko is. When he promises that he is doing something, it will be done.

“So now it is time for Zimbabwe. Aliko Dangote and his group are finally coming, and there is no turning back. I think the Bard Santner team will also be updating you because his team arrives tomorrow — the geologists, the engineers — then the work commences,” Mahachi said.

Mahachi, who worked with Bard Santner CEO Sikhosana Senziwani to bring Dangote back to Zimbabwe, said the 18-month process had been challenging.

“Honestly, I do not want to lie. I had really closed the Zimbabwean chapter between Aliko Dangote and my country, Zimbabwe.

“Believe me, it was not easy to convince him to come to Zimbabwe. If anybody feels like it was a walkover, that is wrong , there has been a lot happening,” she said.

Sikhosana also weighed in, saying Dangote’s renewed engagement represents a major milestone for the country.

“The historic visit between the Government of Zimbabwe and Dangote Industries — an engagement where we were honoured to advise and play a midwife  is not just a transaction.

“It is a turning point. It is a declaration for Zimbabwe, a sign that global capital is beginning to listen,” he said.

Bard Santner is a Zimbabwean financial intermediary with expertise in asset management, corporate finance and wealth management services.