By Jeremiah Gora
Final preparations are underway for the official commissioning of the Mutoko Bioeconomy Industrial Park, with President Cde, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa expected to preside over the ceremony on Thursday, 9 July 2026, in what Government says is a major milestone in Zimbabwe’s rural industrialisation and innovation agenda.
In a press statement, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, said the industrial park, established through the Ministry’s knowledge entity Finealt Engineering, demonstrates Government’s commitment to transforming research, innovation and indigenous knowledge into commercially viable industries that create jobs and improve livelihoods.
Professor Tagwira said the project aligns with the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 philosophy, which integrates teaching, research, community service, innovation and industrialisation to drive national development.
He said the facility will sustainably produce bioeconomy goods and services using locally available biological resources while supporting rural industrialisation through value addition and beneficiation.
Among its key functions, Finealt Engineering will develop rural bioeconomy industrial parks, produce sustainable bioeconomy products, establish feedstock and livestock estates, purchase feedstock from local outgrowers, conduct research into bioeconomy technologies and train apprentices from rural districts with practical industrial skills.
The Ministry said the industrial park is expected to boost agricultural productivity, promote enterprise development, facilitate technology transfer, strengthen skills development and create employment opportunities while reducing reliance on imported products.
Meanwhile, preparations for the commissioning ceremony have entered the final phase, with provincial leaders expressing confidence that the venue will be ready ahead of the President’s arrival.
A provincial inspection team, led by Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, toured the venue to assess progress.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Polite Makwiranzou, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works Engineer Benjamin Kabikira, Members of Parliament from Mutoko District, Provincial Youth Chairperson Hon. I. Tasikani, representatives of the provincial party leadership, provincial heads, members of the Joint Operations Command (JOC) and senior party officials.
Officials reported that tents have been erected, venue preparations are nearing completion and road rehabilitation works are progressing to accommodate the expected influx of vehicles.
Mobilisation efforts are also underway, with organisers anticipating attendance of more than 25,000 people.
The multi-million-dollar Finealt Bioeconomy Industrial Park is expected to produce between 22,000 and 50,000 litres of biodiesel per day, in addition to sunflower cooking oil and soap, creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic activity in Mutoko and surrounding communities.
The commissioning forms part of Government’s broader drive to accelerate industrialisation through science, innovation and technology as Zimbabwe pursues its Vision 2030 development agenda.
