Staff Reporter
President Mnangagwa is scheduled to meet a high-level delegation from Alrosa, the Russian state-owned diamond mining giant, at State House today at 10:30 AM, in a significant engagement aimed at deepening Zimbabwe’s strategic partnerships in the mining sector.
The meeting highlights the Second Republic’s ongoing efforts to attract investment, promote local beneficiation, and accelerate economic growth under the Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
Alrosa, one of the world’s largest diamond producers by volume, has previously partnered the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) through a joint venture focused on exploration and value addition.
This partnership, operating under Alrosa Zimbabwe, has undertaken geological surveys in several provinces and is expected to expand its footprint pending further assessments.
According to Zimbabwe Economic Review on X, the engagement will focus on reviewing progress, strengthening cooperation, and aligning future investments with Zimbabwe’s economic objectives.
“This meeting demonstrates Zimbabwe’s seriousness about forging meaningful, long-term partnerships in critical sectors such as mining. Alrosa’s interest signals confidence in our investment climate,” they said.
Dr. Nyasha Chivasa, an economist with the Harare-based Centre for Trade and Investment Research, welcomed the development, citing the potential for broad economic benefits.
“Alrosa is one of the world’s largest diamond producers. Strengthening ties with such a major player can bring significant investment into Zimbabwe’s mining sector, potentially boosting foreign currency earnings and creating jobs. It’s not just about extraction; it’s about long-term value, skills transfer, and downstream industry growth,” said Dr Nyasha.
Another analyst, mining expert Tapiwa Masuka, said Zimbabwe stands to gain from both capital and technology through such engagements.
“Alrosa’s experience in advanced exploration and diamond processing could help modernise Zimbabwe’s operations. We’re talking about creating a stronger, more competitive diamond sector that supports economic diversification,” Masuka said.
Meanwhile, Government has identified mining as a key driver of growth, targeting US$12 billion in annual mineral exports by 2025. The diamond industry is central to this vision, with a goal of increasing output to 10 million carats annually while promoting local processing and export of polished stones.
Today’s meeting is expected to mark a new phase of cooperation between Harare and Moscow in one of Zimbabwe’s most lucrative economic sectors.
