Staff Reporter

Shurugwi town in Midlands Province is set to experience economic growth with the completion of a US$7.8 million shopping mall, built by the Mining Industry Pension Fund (MIPF).

This development is part of a broader Government initiative to foster the growth of small cities in line with Vision 2030.

Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister,Owen Ncube, praised the MIPF for its role in constructing the mall, emphasising its alignment with the Government's commitment to boosting the economy and improving local livelihoods.

Minister Ncube described the project as a major step in realising the vision of inclusive economic development.

“The Shurugwi mining industry pension fund shopping mall illustrates the Second Republic’s commitment to growing the economy and improving the livelihoods of communities. The Province applauds the Mining Industry Pension Fund for maintaining an indelible and impactful footprint in the real estate sector across all provinces, which resonates with the Second Republic’s broad-based and inclusive development mantra,” said Minister Ncube.

The shopping mall is expected to have a positive impact on the provincial economy by creating jobs, facilitating skills and knowledge transfer, and stimulating related industries, including mining, agriculture, construction, and tourism.

The development will also help address infrastructure gaps and provide much-needed vending stalls for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which will benefit local entrepreneurs.

“The shopping mall will ease the way to do business. It will provide shelter for us. I was a vendor, and now I would want to rent some space and start a viable business. This is a great initiative indeed,” said a local vendor.

Meanwhile, in addition to the Shurugwi project, another shopping mall is planned for Gokwe, further reinforcing the Government's commitment to economic development in the province.