China is developing a $3.6 billion metallurgical industrial park in Zimbabwe that focuses on steel, chrome, and electricity production. This initiative is part of China’s strategy to position Zimbabwe as a steel hub in Africa, leveraging the country’s natural resources and skilled workforce. Experts highlight the move as a significant step in China’s broader plans for southern African industrialization.
China’s growing alliance with Zimbabwe is largely viewed as part of a broader strategy to enhance its influence in southern Africa. The centerpiece of this alliance is the Palm River Energy Metallurgical Industrial Park, a $3.6 billion project in Matabeleland South, driven by the Chinese firm Xinganglian (Shanxi) Holding Group. This expansive initiative aims to harness Zimbabwe’s substantial reserves of coal, iron ore, and chrome to establish the country as a pivotal player in steel production.
The Palm River Industrial Park will encompass over 5,163 hectares within a special economic zone, featuring sectors such as mining, power generation, coke production, and steel fabrication. This large-scale project will unfold in five phases over a 12-year timeline, with the goal of positioning Zimbabwe as a primary steel and chrome industrial hub in Africa.
Experts suggest that Zimbabwe’s rich human resources and natural assets make it an ideal candidate for such developments. Lauren Johnston, a China-Africa expert at the University of Sydney, noted that the initiative reflects China’s strategic intentions to enhance its industrial footprint in southern Africa. This investment not only aims at resource extraction but also seeks to fortify long-term economic ties within the region.
The strategic partnership between China and Zimbabwe, exemplified by the Palm River Energy Metallurgical Industrial Park, underscores China’s intentions to establish a significant footprint in southern Africa’s industrial sector. By leveraging Zimbabwe’s resources and labor, China is poised to enhance its regional influence through development projects aimed at steel production and energy generation.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
