HARARE – The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is hosting the Khumbule’ Khaya Investment Conference in Harare today, as part of a broader effort to revive Zimbabwe’s second-largest city and reposition it as a viable investment destination. Once regarded as the nation’s industrial hub, Bulawayo has endured decades of economic decline, and city leaders now hope to reverse that trajectory by re-engaging citizens and investors both locally and in the diaspora.
Held under the theme “Invest in Bulawayo”, the one-day conference is taking place at Cresta Lodge in Msasa and has attracted a wide array of participants, including government officials, potential investors, business executives, policymakers, and development partners.
According to BCC spokesperson Bongiwe Ngwenya, the primary aim of the event is to reconnect people with Bulawayo roots — especially those in the diaspora — with the city of their heritage, while presenting them with concrete investment opportunities across a range of key sectors.
“The City of Bulawayo is hosting the Khumbule’ Khaya Investment Conference — a gathering aimed at connecting Bulawayo citizens interested in investing in the City of Kings,” Ngwenya said. “We want to engage both the local business community and those abroad who still have a heart for Bulawayo and who can play a role in reviving its economy.”
Ngwenya explained that the forum is showcasing a diverse portfolio of potential investment opportunities in areas such as manufacturing, technology, real estate, tourism, agriculture, energy, and logistics. The city is positioning itself as open for business and ready to accommodate public-private partnerships, joint ventures, and greenfield projects that can restore life to dormant industrial zones.
Bulawayo’s status as Zimbabwe’s industrial capital dates back to the colonial era when it boasted thriving manufacturing plants, textile factories, rail workshops, and engineering firms. However, economic downturns, policy inconsistencies, and lack of reinvestment have led to a steady erosion of that base. Many companies closed shop or relocated to other cities, leaving vast factory shells and high unemployment in their wake.
Bulawayo City Council Hosts Khumbule’ Khaya Investment Conference in Bid to Revive Economic Fortunes
The Khumbule’ Khaya initiative — named after a phrase that loosely translates to “remember home” — is designed to reverse that trend by leveraging nostalgia, identity, and opportunity to draw investment into the city.
Ngwenya emphasized that beyond financial investment, the conference offers a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and policy advocacy. She said the event is structured to facilitate networking between investors and city authorities, enabling direct interaction that could inform policy adjustments and accelerate project approvals.
“The conference will provide opportunities for networking, policy dialogue, and business engagement with city officials,” she said. “It is also an avenue for prospective investors to share their ideas, learn from success stories, and discuss what it will take to revive and grow business in Bulawayo.”
One of the unique aspects of the Khumbule’ Khaya approach is its emphasis on attracting diaspora investment. Organisers are calling on Zimbabweans abroad — particularly those originally from Matabeleland and Bulawayo — to consider “coming back home” by investing in the city’s future. From remittances to direct project involvement, the diaspora is seen as a critical partner in efforts to rebuild the city’s economic engine.
“We are calling on all those with a heart for Bulawayo — whether based in Zimbabwe or abroad — to consider coming back home to invest,” said Ngwenya. “The city still holds immense potential, and with the right investment, we can unlock it for the benefit of future generations.”
The conference is also seen as a confidence-building measure at a time when investors often cite concerns over regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure challenges, and macroeconomic volatility. By bringing potential partners into one room with government and local authorities, BCC hopes to address some of these concerns head-on and create a more predictable investment environment.
The timing of the initiative is significant. Bulawayo continues to grapple with high unemployment, urban migration, crumbling infrastructure, and limited access to industrial financing. Yet city officials remain optimistic that the right interventions — especially those grounded in local ownership and diaspora participation — could set Bulawayo on a path to recovery.
In recent years, the city has made strides in updating its development masterplan, improving service delivery, and rehabilitating some key roads and public spaces. Officials believe the foundation is now strong enough to support a new wave of economic growth — if the right investors can be brought on board.
As the Khumbule’ Khaya conference draws to a close, expectations are high that it will not only yield investment pledges but also rekindle a sense of shared responsibility for the future of Bulawayo — Zimbabwe’s beloved “City of Kings.”
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