Qatar’s Sheikh Mansour jets into Zim

STAFF WRITER

Cash-rich His Royal Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani of Qatar’s ruling family jetted into Zimbabwe on Friday, leading a powerful delegation that has pledged a historic US$19bn investment package, Business Times can report.

The high-profile mission,  one of the largest foreign capital commitments in decades, is expected to cement Zimbabwe’s status as a key strategic partner for Qatar while accelerating economic transformation across critical sectors.

Over the next three days, Sheikh Mansour’s team will seal high-level agreements, hold business engagements, and lay the foundation for long-term partnerships.

The visit comes at a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe, which has spent the past five years working to restore strained international relations and attract fresh capital to revive industry, rebuild infrastructure, and create jobs. Against this backdrop, Sheikh Mansour’s arrival represents both a diplomatic breakthrough and a turning point in Zimbabwe’s re-engagement with global capital markets.

Speaking on arrival, Ambassador Mahomed Jassat, Director of Public Relations and Chief Advisor to Sheikh Mansour, underscored the magnitude of the deal.
“It’s great to be back again in Zimbabwe. I promised President Emmerson Mnangagwa that we would bring investment from Qatar. We envisage that they are going to invest approximately US$19bn into the economy,” Jassat said.

He noted Zimbabwe’s strategic importance in the region.
“We have been to Burundi, where they promised US$12bn; Zambia US$19bn; Botswana US$12bn — and obviously my country has to come in. There will be US$19bn over all sectors. I am proud to be back home. I am proud to have brought the investment back into Zimbabwe, and we really look forward to the Mansour Group and the State of Qatar doing business with us,” he said.

Mansour Holding has signalled interest across a wide spectrum of industries, highlighting Qatar’s long-term vision for Zimbabwe.
“At Mansour Holding, we cover all areas — from oil, both downstream and upstream, to agriculture, livestock, food security, and tourism. We are also passionate about affordable housing, cyber security, ports and airports, just name it,” said Nidal Ammach, Chairman of Mansour Holding and Advisor to Sheikh Mansour.

He stressed that the group’s strategy is anchored on long-term collaboration rather than transactional ventures.
“Our vision, if you connect all these industries together, aligns with Zimbabwe’s development agenda. We’re looking at a long-term relationship and we’re here to invest in one black 5-star hotel as a starting point. We’re looking at sustainable investments and what Zimbabwe should do to harness them,” Ammach said.

The pledged investments dovetail with Zimbabwe’s national priorities. Energy and infrastructure remain central to growth, while agriculture, food security, and tourism are positioned as engines for export earnings and job creation.

The timing could not be more significant.

Zimbabwe is still grappling with a long-standing debt overhang, foreign currency shortages, and limited access to concessional finance from global lenders such as the World Bank and IMF.

The Qatari capital injection therefore offers an alternative pathway to growth at a time when fresh credit is scarce.

Over the past 10 months, Qatari investors have quietly laid the groundwork through technical discussions with ministries and exploratory assessments. Analysts say if the US$19bn pledge translates into bankable projects in mining, energy, housing, and agro-industry, the impact could be transformative.

Zimbabwe’s inclusion in Qatar’s wider Africa investment strategy also puts it at the centre of Doha’s expansion across resource-rich, strategically located economies. Sheikh Mansour’s delegation has already pledged billions in Zambia, Burundi, and Botswana, underscoring Qatar’s intent to deepen its African footprint.

For Zimbabwe, the dividends could extend beyond capital inflows. The partnership promises knowledge transfer, technology partnerships, and improved access to Middle Eastern and Asian markets where Qatar exerts significant influence.

The three-day programme includes Business-to-Government and Business-to-Business meetings, the signing of memoranda of understanding, and tours of key infrastructure projects.

A private meeting between President Mnangagwa and Sheikh Mansour is also scheduled, alongside cultural tours designed to showcase Zimbabwe’s tourism appeal.

Observers note that Qatar’s targeted sectors — energy, food security, tourism, and housing — require long-term capital and integration, not short-term speculative bets. This suggests that Doha views Zimbabwe as a stable anchor in Southern Africa despite its history of economic volatility.

The commitments also align with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 blueprint, which seeks to transform the nation into an upper-middle-income economy within the next five years. With its strategic location at the heart of Southern and Central Africa, Zimbabwe offers access to a consumer base of over 400 million people.

Still, hurdles remain.

Policy inconsistency, currency instability, and governance issues continue to cast doubt over Zimbabwe’s investment climate. Analysts caution that unless reforms deepen, turning pledges into tangible projects may prove difficult.

Yet, optimism is high.

Sheikh Mansour’s presence and the promise of billions in fresh capital have injected renewed confidence into Zimbabwe’s business and political circles.

As the Qatari delegation begins its packed itinerary in Victoria Falls, anticipation is mounting that this visit will go beyond symbolism and deliver measurable transformation for Zimbabwe’s struggling economy.