AGP Executive Report

Mining accountability: Youth Accountability Initiative says irresponsible mining is widening inequality in Zimbabwe, with women and young people hit hardest as environmental damage cuts livelihoods; it argues Zimbabwe must push beyond extraction to beneficiation, jobs and skills near mining areas. El Niño preparedness: Agriculture officials urge farmers not to panic as a strong El Niño season is expected, pointing to early warning, drought-tolerant crops, water harvesting and relief planning. Solar irrigation push: Government and the International Solar Alliance plan a solar-powered agriculture programme, starting with 500–1 000 solar irrigation pumps plus solar cold rooms and drying/agro-processing support. Waste-to-energy for Ngozi Mine: Geo Pomona is in talks with Bulawayo City Council to replicate Harare’s waste-to-energy model at the Ngozi Mine dumpsite, aiming to cut smoke, health risks and environmental damage. Conservation and tourism: Matobo National Park’s 100-year celebrations bring back the Matobo Gin Festival with a leopard theme, blending conservation messaging with local tourism. Green energy finance: Africa GreenCo secures an extra US$11.5m to expand its renewable energy platform across SAPP markets, supporting cleaner power and regional integration.

Ngozi Mine pollution crisis: Bulawayo City Council has been ordered to work with Geo Pomona to replicate Harare’s waste-to-energy model at the Ngozi Mine dumpsite, with government saying the move targets the smoke, fumes and public health risks affecting Cowdray Park and nearby communities. Waste-to-energy expansion: Geo Pomona says it will start with “waste mining” and encapsulation plans to rehabilitate the dumpsite, while officials also met to agree a one-week plan. Green mining push: Zimbabwe’s Mines and Mining Development Minister is in China promoting “win-win” partnerships and green mining, as the country seeks lower-impact extraction and local beneficiation. Critical minerals race: A policy debate highlights how Africa could capture more value from critical minerals, but warns that exploration and revenue shares remain low compared to reserves. Climate risk: Reports flag El Niño strengthening and warmer oceans, with Southern Africa including Zimbabwe facing drier-than-average conditions and higher chances of extreme weather. Tourism and sustainability: Zimbabwe’s tourism growth is being framed as a driver for sustainable investment, local value chains and resilience, with Great Zimbabwe drawing crowds during Sanganai/Hlanganani. Energy transition finance: Africa GreenCo secured an extra US$11.5m to expand renewable power trading across SADC markets, aiming to cut emissions and improve energy security.

Ngozi Mine pollution crisis: Government has ordered Bulawayo to work with Geo Pomona to replicate Harare’s waste-to-energy model, ending the city’s stalled search for other waste managers and setting a one-week push to agree on the plan—aimed at cutting smoke, fumes and public health risks at the Richmond Landfill site. Waste-to-energy expansion: Geo Pomona says it will “waste mine” and encapsulate waste, with discussions also involving Bulawayo City Council and UN support. Climate risk and El Niño: The World Meteorological Organization warns a strong El Niño could drive more extreme weather into 2027, with Southern Africa—including Zimbabwe—likely to face drier-than-average conditions. Renewables funding boost: Africa GreenCo secured an extra US$11.5m from PIDG/IFDK and new shareholder Sanlam, expanding renewable power trading across Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. Conservation tech: Zimbabwe is fitting 6 elephants with satellite collars to strengthen wildlife monitoring. Mining and communities: A legal warning highlights how mining expansion in Matabeleland can undermine rural livelihoods and land control, with communities having limited rights over minerals beneath their fields. Tourism and sustainability: First Lady Mnangagwa urged sustainable investment as Zimbabwe’s tourism growth continues, linking the sector to jobs and inclusive growth.

Waste & Climate Action: Botswana is moving toward a formal partnership with Harare-based Geo Pomona Waste Management to turn landfills into recycling centres and sources of green energy, with officials saying the model could strengthen regional cooperation on waste and climate. Urban Pollution Crisis: In Bulawayo, President Mnangagwa has ordered urgent action to end the Ngozi Mine pollution crisis, directing the city council and Geo Pomona to agree within a week to replicate Harare’s waste management approach after residents complained of smoke, fumes and health impacts. Mining & Community Rights: A Nkayi lawyer warns that Zimbabwe’s mining laws leave rural communities with limited protection when extraction disrupts farms, homes and water, since mineral rights are vested in the State. El Niño & Weather Risk: Climate coverage flags that a strong El Niño could bring drier-than-average conditions for parts of Southern Africa including Zimbabwe, raising the stakes for planning around extreme weather. Solar Transition: Analysis highlights how China-backed solar build-out is accelerating across Africa, while also debating whether the energy shift is truly “win-win” or risks new forms of control. Public Health & Surveillance: WHO and the Pandemic Fund provided Lesotho with medical and ICT equipment to strengthen disease surveillance and response, linking preparedness to climate-driven outbreaks. Conservation & Wildlife: Zimbabwe is reported to have fitted elephants with satellite collars to boost conservation monitoring.

Ngozi Mine pollution crisis: President Mnangagwa has ordered urgent action to stop recurring smoke and fumes affecting Bulawayo residents, directing Bulawayo City Council and Geo Pomona Waste Management to agree within a week to replicate Harare’s waste management model at Richmond Landfill. Environmental law: Harare residents’ group CHRA welcomed Parliament’s gazetting of the Environmental Management Amendment Bill, calling for stronger deterrents for corporate polluters and wetland developers and wider public consultation. Wildlife monitoring: ZimParks and IFAW fitted 30 elephants with GPS satellite collars around Hwange to improve monitoring and help curb human-wildlife conflict. Mining accountability & jobs: Unki Mine completed its first full IRMA renewal audit, retaining an IRMA 75 responsible mining level, while Mhangura’s revived copper processing operation raises concerns over casual pay and lack of written contracts. Tourism push: Buyers at Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo in Masvingo pledged to market Zimbabwe, as the country positions tourism diplomacy to drive jobs and community development. Critical minerals: Lohum shipped its first lithium ore from Zimbabwe and signalled plans for local processing, while Chinese investor Sinomine reiterated confidence in Zimbabwe’s mineral beneficiation policy.

Waste & Clean Cities: Government has directed Bulawayo City Council to bring Geo Pomona Waste Management Company to transform Richmond Landfill (Ngozi Mine), after delays over feasibility studies left the dumpsite a growing health and environmental concern. Fuel Policy Debate: MPs are questioning Zimbabwe’s mandatory ethanol blending, arguing ethanol costs more than imported petrol and demanding clearer research and value for motorists. Climate-Smart Farming Evidence: New IFAD-backed CIMMYT work is testing sorghum mechanisation under Zimbabwe conditions, comparing real field performance and the financial viability of service providers. Environmental Law: Harare residents’ group CHRA welcomed Parliament’s gazetting of the Environmental Management Amendment Bill, calling for stronger deterrence against water pollution and wetland destruction. Wildlife Monitoring: ZimParks and IFAW have fitted 30 elephants with GPS satellite collars around Hwange to track movements and flag human-wildlife conflict hotspots. Tourism & Conservation Link: Zimbabwe says tourism arrivals hit 6.4 million in H1 2026, with calls to scale climate-smart infrastructure to support conservation and sustainable resource use. Mining & Critical Minerals: Indian firm Lohum shipped its first lithium ore from Zimbabwe and says it plans processing in-country, as Zimbabwe pushes for value addition.

Tourism Growth: Zimbabwe’s tourist arrivals jumped to 6.4 million in the first half of 2026, up from 5 million last year, with tourism investment rising to US$132.3 million—plus a push to remove barriers, simplify travel and scale climate-smart infrastructure. Tourism Investment & Infrastructure: Finance Minister Prof Mthuli Ncube headlines the Sanganai/Hlanganani tourism investment forum in Masvingo, while the Bulawayo Investment Indaba kicks off to unlock strategic capital for sustainable industrial transformation. Conservation & Wildlife Tech: IFAW and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife fitted six savannah elephants in/around Hwange with GPS satellite collars, bringing monitored elephants to 30 to improve movement tracking and reduce human-wildlife conflict. Critical Minerals & Environment: India’s Lohum shipped its first lithium ore from Zimbabwe and secured 10 mining blocks in Matabeleland South, targeting major lithium carbonate output—raising the stakes for responsible ESG and water/land management. Waste & Public Health: Women Environmental Defenders (WESE) petition ZIMRA, Masvingo City Council and EMA over pollution and poor waste management at the Raylton Club Bus Depot and nearby railway area. Climate Risk: El Niño is strengthening, with Southern Africa facing higher drought risk—an urgent reminder for water, farming and disaster preparedness.

Tourism & Climate-Smart Infrastructure: Zimbabwe opened the 2026 Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Expo in Masvingo as tourist arrivals rose to 6.4 million in H1 2026, with President Mnangagwa urging innovation, “open sky” travel steps, and scaling up climate-smart infrastructure to protect conservation and sustainable resource use. Wildlife Monitoring: Hwange National Park conservation got a boost as six savannah elephants were fitted with GPS satellite collars, bringing monitored elephants to 30 and helping track movements, flag conflict hotspots, and plan corridors. El Niño Watch: A strong El Niño is developing and expected to intensify later in 2026, with Southern Africa facing higher drought risk—raising concerns for food, water, health and livelihoods. Mining & Pollution Accountability: Women Environmental Defenders (WESE) petitioned ZIMRA, Masvingo City Council and EMA over waste and sanitation problems at the Raylton Club Bus Depot, warning of public-health risks from unmanaged refuse. ESG in Mining Rights: Zimbabwe is moving to make ESG compliance a condition for issuing and renewing mining rights, treating environmental impact assessments as life-of-mine commitments. Lake Kariba Disaster Recovery: Cabinet approved relief for Lake Kariba ferry capsize victims, including mental health support, water/sanitation upgrades, road repairs, ferry replacement and stronger early warning systems. Lithium Push: Lohum began shipping its first tranche of lithium ore from Matabeleland South, aiming to scale into lithium carbonate production while expanding upstream supply. Urban Sanitation Warning: Harare’s vendor crackdown is raising sanitation and rainy-season disease fears, with calls for a public-health approach rather than treating vending as an isolated issue.

Mining & Water Governance: Zimbabwe is moving to make ESG compliance a condition for issuing, renewing or extending mining rights, with environmental impact assessments treated as life-of-mine commitments and tighter links to water monitoring. Disaster Response & Safety: Cabinet approved a relief package for Lake Kariba ferry disaster victims, including humanitarian aid, psychosocial support, a replacement ferry, repaired roads and stronger early warning systems. Climate Risk: The Meteorological Services Department says a cold spell is tied to the winter-to-summer transition, while Government warns a very strong El Niño could bring below-normal rains and dry spells in 2026/27. Wildlife & Habitat Pressure: Gonarezhou media tours show baobabs being scarred, uprooted and lost under pressure from a growing elephant population, threatening regeneration and the wider ecosystem. Waste & Public Health: Police are investigating an amputated human leg found at a Chitungwiza dump site, alongside used syringes and medical waste, raising concerns about hazardous disposal. Urban Environment & Planning: Harare introduces a 1.5km rule and larger stand requirements for new service stations, with EIA and energy regulator approvals required before construction. E-hailing Regulation: Government grants a five-month moratorium to develop safer, self-regulatory e-hailing rules and requires sector registration with ZIMRA.

El-Niño Watch: Zimbabwe is bracing for a potentially harsh 2026/27 rainy season, with forecasts pointing to below-normal rainfall, dry spells and warmer temperatures—raising fears of a budgetary shock as funds may be diverted to food and nutrition support. Drought Response: Start Network has activated anticipatory action with £1.27m to help nearly 100,000 people across five rural districts through drought-tolerant seeds, input vouchers, climate-smart training and water support. Wildlife Under Pressure: Gonarezhou’s baobabs are being scarred and uprooted by a growing elephant population, threatening regeneration and the wider ecosystem that depends on these “super trees.” Tourism Integration: Zimbabwe is pushing intra-Africa tourism collaboration over rivalry, with CEOs backing multi-destination travel to extend visitor stays and unlock investment. Urban Environment & Livelihoods: Harare’s new 1.5km rule for service stations adds environmental safeguards, while PVED is petitioning for more designated vending spaces to prevent clashes and protect livelihoods as enforcement tightens. Green Tech Angle: A debate is growing on whether AI can make web hosting greener—or whether rising computing demand will cancel out gains.

Wildlife & Tourism: Gonarezhou National Park is being pitched to investors as journalists toured the park ahead of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo, with elephants, buffaloes and hippos on display and conservation infrastructure like an electric fence protecting rhinos. Urban Environment & Public Health: Zimbabwe’s retailers back Government’s crackdown on illegal vending, arguing it restores cleanliness, reduces congestion and protects public health by pushing traders into designated areas. Climate Finance Gap: Africa’s climate conference heard that the continent is lagging on climate action because funding remains unequal, even though emissions are low and impacts are severe. Energy & Extractives: Government has opened the Cabora Bassa Basin to oil and gas exploration and classified coal as a “special critical mineral,” while Invictus Energy prepares Musuma-1 for drilling in November. Wildlife Crime: A Marondera man appeared in court over alleged trafficking of eight lion teeth without a permit, after detectives posed as buyers. Disaster Risk: A global look at worsening floods and fires warns that extreme weather is becoming more frequent and deadly, raising stakes for preparedness.

Mining & Energy Push: Zimbabwe opened the Cabora Bassa Basin to oil and gas investors and classified coal as a “special critical mineral,” aiming to cut fuel imports and boost power and downstream industries. Climate Risk & Green Industry: Zimbabwe is positioning green industrialisation as a response to El Niño-driven shocks to weather, production and energy, with talks on renewable power, circular economy and green financing. Mining Health Crisis: A study on artisanal and small-scale miners flags a “deadly triple threat” of silicosis, TB and HIV, with high burdens among young workers. Wildlife Crime: A Marondera man pleaded guilty for allegedly trying to sell eight lion teeth without permits, after detectives set up a sting in Harare. Urban Environment & Informal Trade: Harare vendors vowed to defy a September 9 eviction deadline, warning authorities are not providing enough lawful, serviced trading spaces. Tax & Landlords: ZIMRA introduced a presumptive rental income tax targeting landlords, with strict penalties for non-payment. Regional Trade Link: South Africa–Zimbabwe talks highlighted agriculture value chains and deeper regional trade ties. Tech for Safer Mining: Rockwell Automation announced a cybersecurity and modernisation collaboration with Mimosa Mine.

Green Industrialisation & El Niño: Zimbabwe is pushing green industrialisation as El Niño intensifies, with UN-backed talks in Harare focusing on renewable energy, circular economy ideas, and turning industrial waste into productive inputs. Mining ESG & Permits: Zimbabwe is moving to make ESG compliance a condition for mining rights, as permitting risk increasingly shapes project costs, timing and community trust. Wildlife & Vultures: Southern Africa conservation groups are rolling out wider wildlife censuses and launched the Vulture Safe Zone Alliance to cut poisoning, collisions and habitat threats. Street Vendors Crackdown: Harare vendors face a Sept 9 eviction deadline, with traders and groups calling for a moratorium and warning that enforcement without serviced alternatives will deepen poverty and worsen sanitation. Small-Scale Mining Safety: A disturbing underground mine recovery video has renewed calls for stronger safety and emergency preparedness in small-scale operations. Renewables for Cities: Gweru is pursuing a 200MW solar farm via a joint venture to diversify revenue and reduce reliance on the national grid. Tourism Diversification: Zimbabwe’s Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe expo is in Masvingo, with international buyers touring beyond Victoria Falls as wildlife, culture and gastronomy drive new market links.

Mining ESG & water/permit risk: Zimbabwe is moving to make ESG compliance a condition for applying for, renewing and extending mining rights, with regulators tightening scrutiny on environmental and social impacts. Small-scale mine safety: A disturbing underground mine recovery video has reignited calls for stronger safety rules and emergency preparedness in Zimbabwe’s ASM sector. Wildlife monitoring: Southern Africa conservation groups are rolling out cross-border wildlife censuses using camera traps and aerial counts to track populations under pressure from climate and habitat loss. Vultures protection: The Vulture Safe Zone Alliance launched across Southern Africa, aiming to cut poisoning and other threats to vultures through coordinated community and land-user action. Climate risk & food insecurity: Reports warn El Niño could bring below-normal rains and rising heat, threatening drought and worsening food insecurity across the region. Wetlands justice: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is pushing for specialised courts and training for judges to better handle wetland and other environment-related cases. Solar for cities: Gweru is pursuing a 200MW solar plant to diversify municipal revenue and reduce reliance on the national grid. Street vending crackdown debate: Government’s September 9 ultimatum for vendors is being framed as public order and sanitation, but critics say livelihoods and waste-management solutions must come first. Livestock feed resilience: Farmers are being urged to use non-timber forest feed resources to protect herds during drought-driven feed shortages.

Waste Management & Energy: President Mnangagwa witnessed the signing of an EPC contract for a waste-to-energy plant between Geo Pomona Waste Management and Zhejiang Wei Ming Group, as Zimbabwe pushes cleaner refuse handling and value from waste. Climate & Disaster Risk: The Meteorological Services Department issued a strong-winds alert from Sept 4–7, warning of thunderstorms, lightning and light rain in parts of the country, with farmers urged to protect crops and secure rooftops. Renewables & Local Revenue: Gweru City Council is pursuing a proposed 200MW solar farm via a joint venture to diversify income, cut grid reliance and potentially sell surplus power. Food Security Under El Niño: A warning piece flags that Southern Africa could face below-normal rains and rising heat, with food insecurity risks growing as El Niño strengthens. Law & Wetlands Protection: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights called for specialised courts and training for judges to better handle wetland and other environment-related cases. Mining & Investment: The Chamber of Mines says policy engagement is delivering wins for mining investors, while Implats signals a shift toward life-of-mine extensions and more sustainable production. Currency Policy Watch: The World Bank cautioned Zimbabwe against rushing to end dollar use and make ZiG the sole currency before local-currency credibility is firmly established.

Waste-to-Energy Push: President Mnangagwa witnessed an EPC deal between Geo Pomona Waste Management and Zhejiang Wei Ming Group Ltd to build a waste-to-energy plant, aiming to cut refuse problems with more sustainable solutions. Weather Risk Alert: Zimbabwe’s Meteorological Services Department warned of strong winds plus thunderstorms, lightning and light rain from Sept 4–7, urging farmers and the public to secure rooftops, protect crops and stay away from trees and poles during lightning. El Niño Food Worry: Writers and analysts are raising alarms about Super El Niño unpreparedness, warning that drought could hit hard as support systems and funding for food aid are strained. Mining & Environment Court Fight: Hillcrest School in Mutare has taken Toronto Mines to court seeking an urgent stop to mining at Christmas Pass, saying open-cast operations are harming the environment and disrupting learning and nearby residents. Carbon Markets Angle: Zimbabwe officials are engaging global carbon credit reforms, including the EU ETS proposal that could buy international credits—an opportunity, but one tied to quality and market rules. Tourism With a Green Lens: Zimbabwe’s tourism sector won Bronze at the Africa Tourism Leadership Awards for progressive, sustainable policy, as the country gears up for Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe.