HARARE – The impending resumption of direct Air Zimbabwe flights between Harare and London Gatwick, facilitated by the Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF), is expected to deliver major economic dividends for the national economy, including strengthened diaspora linkages, a surge in tourism arrivals, and significant employment creation across the aviation value chain.
The route, which remains on course for relaunch after a 14-year hiatus, will see Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas provide an Airbus A330 under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance arrangement, while Air Zimbabwe markets and sells tickets under its own flight code.
MIF Chief Executive Officer John Mangudya said the service aligns with a wider strategy to revive strategic state entities under the fund’s portfolio for instance positive inroads being made in breathing life to the National Railways of Zimbabwe which was in comatose.
“The service would return in the first half of 2026 as part of a broader airline revival strategy, which includes the sale of certain aircraft to streamline operations,” Mangudya said.
Economic analysts note that the direct link is poised to strengthen connections with Zimbabwe’s sizeable diaspora in the United Kingdom, directly supporting remittances, trade, and investment flows. The route is also expected to revive the export channel for horticulture and other perishables, which historically reached United Kingdom shelves within a day of harvest.
In the tourism sector, industry players have hailed the development as a catalyst for growth.
“This route is a game-changer for inbound tourism. Direct access from the UK will make Zimbabwe a more attractive package for tour operators and will drive arrivals into Victoria Falls, Hwange and our cultural sites,” a senior official with the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism said. “More visitors mean more bookings, more guides hired, and more revenue circulating in local communities.”
The whole aviation sector will benefit and it also helps connectivity as we move into a global village.
Harare – Zimbabwe is set to make history as it hosts what many believe will be one of the most important business and technology events ever held in the country.
Youthful entrepreneur, investor and visionary leader Mudiwa Hood is bringing internationally recognized AI Strategist, Software Engineer, Tech Founder, and author of Think AI: Building Africa in the AI Economy, Cee Jay Besa, together with Jamaican entrepreneur and branding strategist Kerry-Ann Besa, to Zimbabwe for the country’s first-ever AI Business Makeover Summit.
The event will take place on Saturday, August 8th at MH Arena located at Travel Plaza.
For Mudiwa Hood, the idea was born after witnessing firsthand the rapid transformation Artificial Intelligence is creating across businesses in the United States.
During his visits to America, he saw companies becoming leaner, faster, smarter and more profitable through the use of AI-powered systems and automation.
Rather than simply admire the technology from afar, Mudiwa began asking a bigger question:
“How do we bring this opportunity home to Zimbabwe?”
That vision led him to connect with Zimbabwean-born U.S.-based technology entrepreneur Cee Jay Besa, who has spent years helping businesses become AI-ready across multiple industries including banking, insurance, healthcare, customer service, compliance, and data protection. https;//a.co/d/01cXrSPE
Joining him is his wife, Jamaican entrepreneur and branding strategist Kerry-Ann Besa, who has helped businesses and professionals develop powerful brands that attract customers, opportunities, and influence in the digital economy.
Together, they bring a unique international perspective that spans Africa, the United States, and the Caribbean. https;//zimdiasporaweek.com
Organizers believe this global blend of business experience will be one of the most fascinating aspects of the summit.
The book that demystifies AI and serve as a tool for paradigm shift
Attendees will have the rare opportunity to learn from a husband-and-wife team whose work has helped businesses leverage technology, branding, systems, and innovation to create growth in today’s rapidly changing economy.
Organizers are quick to point out that the AI Business Makeover Summit is not a technology conference.
It is a business transformation event.
The focus is simple:
How can African businesses use Artificial Intelligence to become more efficient, more profitable, and more competitive?
As Artificial Intelligence continues reshaping industries around the world, businesses that fail to adapt risk falling behind.
The summit aims to help Zimbabwean entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, churches, schools, healthcare organizations, and business owners understand exactly how AI can help them grow.
Attendees will learn how to:
• Create and monetize content using AI
• Automate repetitive tasks
• Generate more leads and sales
• Improve customer service
• Build stronger brands
• Increase productivity
• Reduce operational costs
• Create systems that work even when they are not working
• Use technology to solve everyday business problems
Meet Your New AI Employees
One of the major concepts being introduced at the summit is the idea of AI Employees, also known as AI Agents.
While Artificial Intelligence often sounds complicated, Cee Jay Besa explains it in simple terms.
“An AI Employee is simply giving AI instructions to do things you don’t want to do but know you should be doing. The things that, if done consistently and correctly, would make you more money, save you time, and help your business grow.”
Instead of spending hours responding to inquiries, following up with customers, scheduling appointments, creating content, managing information, or handling administrative tasks, businesses can now train AI systems to perform many of these functions.
The result is increased efficiency, lower costs, and more time to focus on growth.
Why Data Is Becoming Africa’s Most Valuable Asset
According to Cee Jay Besa, one of the biggest shifts happening in the global economy revolves around data.
“The businesses that understand data will have an enormous advantage over those that don’t. Data is becoming one of the most valuable assets in the world.”
Nearly every organization today manages sensitive information.
Churches.
Hospitals.
Restaurants.
Radio stations.
Schools.
Pharmacies.
Insurance companies.
Banks.
Funeral homes.
Law firms.
Accounting firms.
Every one of these organizations depends on data.
The challenge is managing that data effectively, securely, and responsibly.
Throughout his work in the United States, Cee Jay has helped organizations implement systems that improve compliance, build customer trust, and reduce operational risk.
Attendees will discover how modern AI tools can help organizations manage information more effectively while reducing complexity and increasing efficiency.
For many businesses, technology has often felt intimidating, expensive, or out of reach.
The summit aims to change that perception.
One example attendees will explore is how AI can assist organizations with data governance, compliance processes, documentation, reporting, and operational oversight. Rather than requiring every organization to hire expensive specialists, AI can help automate many of the repetitive tasks involved in managing information responsibly and efficiently.
Fix the System, Fix the Cash Flow
One of the most anticipated lessons of the day comes from Cee Jay’s belief that many businesses misunderstand their biggest challenge.
“Most businesses don’t have a cash flow problem. They have a systems problem. When you fix the systems problem, cash flow often fixes itself.”
The summit will explore how broken processes, poor follow-up systems, inconsistent marketing, inefficient operations, and outdated workflows quietly drain revenue from businesses every day.
Participants will learn practical ways to identify those bottlenecks and use AI to eliminate them.
Africa Must Become Builders, Not Just Consumers
Perhaps the most important message behind the summit is a larger vision for Africa’s future.
For decades, Africans have largely consumed technology developed elsewhere.
The organizers believe the next chapter must be different.
The AI conversation should not only be happening in Silicon Valley.
It should be happening in Harare.
It should be happening in Bulawayo.
It should be happening across Africa.
And it should be led by Africans.
The vision behind the AI Business Makeover Summit is to empower African entrepreneurs, innovators, creators, and business leaders to become builders of technology solutions rather than simply users of them.
During the summit, attendees will get a first look at AI-powered tools and solutions specifically designed with Zimbabwean and African businesses in mind.
According to organizers, these solutions have been built to solve real African business challenges while creating opportunities for local innovation and economic growth.
A historic one for Zimbabwe!
While Cee Jay and Kerry-Ann Besa regularly conduct AI Business Summits and business transformation events in the United States, this marks the first time the experience will be brought to Zimbabwe.
Organizers believe the significance extends far beyond a single event.
This is about introducing a new way of thinking.
A new way of building businesses.
A new way of competing globally.
And a new way of preparing Africa for the future.
A Powerful Week for Zimbabwe
The AI Business Makeover Summit also takes place during the same week as ZimDiaspora Week, hosted by Conrad Mwanza.
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Many are excited by the possibility that the ideas, relationships, and opportunities emerging from both gatherings could create a powerful cross-pollination of innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment. As visionary leaders such as Mudiwa Hood, Conrad Mwanza, and Cee Jay Besa bring their communities together, the result may help inspire new pathways toward a stronger future for Zimbabwe and Africa.
A Message From Mudiwa Hood
Mudiwa Hood believes this is a moment Zimbabwe cannot afford to miss.
“The world is changing faster than ever before. Every industry is being transformed by Artificial Intelligence, and the businesses that understand these changes early will have a significant advantage. My vision is simple. Zimbabwe should not be watching from the sidelines. We should be participating. We should be building. We should be leading. This summit is an opportunity to hear directly from experts who are implementing these systems every day. Whether you are a business owner, executive, professional, entrepreneur, student, church leader, or simply curious about the future, I encourage you to be in the room. History is often recognized after it happens. This is your chance to be part of it while it is being created.”
The AI Business Makeover Summit promises to be a defining moment for Zimbabwe’s business community and a powerful step toward ensuring that Africa participates fully in the AI economy.
For those who have ever wondered how Artificial Intelligence can help them grow their business, create new opportunities, improve efficiency, increase profits, and compete globally, August 8th may be one of the most important dates on the calendar.
HARARE – Mutapa Investment Fund chief executive Dr John Mangudya has commended and praised Mutapa Gold Resources for its sterling performance after the gold mining division declared its maiden dividend of US$35 million to shareholders, with its chief executive Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya further projecting increased production, reports Express Mail Zim.
Dr Mangudya expressed strong confidence in the company’s prospects, describing the payout as a gateway to robust operational results.
“We are very pleased by the performance of Mutapa Gold Resources, achieving a profit of US$70 million and declaring a dividend of US$35 million in total. It’s very commendable, so we are very happy,” Mangudya said.
The dividend, representing half of the company’s US$70 million after-tax profit recorded for the nine months ending December 31, 2025, was distributed on Thursday following board approval. The bulk of the payout flowed to its parent entity, the Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF), which received US$22,050,000. Other beneficiaries included CBZ Bank, the National Venture Capital Company of Zimbabwe, the Public Service Pension Fund, the Insurance and Pension Commission, and the Deposit Protection Corporation.
The strong financial performance was driven by robust operational results and favourable international gold prices, which were however bearish.
Dr Mangudya said the performance precursor of greater returns to come.
“Shareholders invest money to make money. Delivery is ultimately about return on investment,” Maseva-Shayawabaya stated.
“I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to declare a dividend to shareholders. It is my hope that this is the first of many times when we will be declaring dividends,” he added.
The announcement comes as Mutapa Gold Resources embarks on an ambitious expansion drive, targeting a monthly gold output of 570 kilograms within the next three years, up from current production levels of approximately 300 kilograms per month. The company achieved a record monthly production of 340 kilograms in March 2026, signaling early gains from ongoing efficiency and development initiatives.
“Through certain mine expansion initiatives, we are projecting to produce 570kg from 2028,” said Ernest Denhere, Mutapa’s deputy chief investment officer, during a presentation outlining the company’s medium-term strategy.
The growth outlook will be anchored on asset optimisation and increased output from key operations, particularly the Freda Rebecca Mine, which contributes about 70% of Mutapa’s total production and produced 2.2 tonnes of gold in 2025.
The company is advancing a US$152 million project at Shamva Hill to develop a new open-pit mine and processing plant, which is expected to lift Shamva’s monthly output from 66 kilograms to 200 kilograms. Local banks have pledged up to US$90 million toward the project. At Jena Mine, described by Maseva-Shayawabaya as a “rough diamond,” output has risen from 30 to 40 kilograms per month following a US$2 million intervention, with management seeing a clear path to 100 kilograms per month.
The company is also pursuing an aggressive exploration campaign, having allocated more than US$12 million for drilling programs in 2026 across its gold assets, with 46,000 metres of drilling completed in the past year and 81,000 metres planned. The goal is to extend the operating life of its mines by approximately 10 years.
Mutapa Gold Resources was established in early 2026 following the unbundling of Kuvimba Mining House into five specialised commodity-focused entities: Mutapa Gold Resources, Mutapa Base Metals, Mutapa Energy Minerals, Mutapa Platinum aGroup, and Mutapa Frontier. The restructuring was designed to sharpen operational focus, improve governance, and unlock value across Zimbabwe’s mineral resources.
Midas Touch:MGR board chairperson Charles Chikaura delivering his speech during the dividends declaration to shareholders on Thursday
The company produced 3,266 kilograms of gold over the 12 months to March 2026, down from 3,600 kilograms a year earlier, due to lower grades at Freda Rebecca and Shamva mines. The average head grade across operations fell from 1.62 grams per tonne in 2024 to 1.36 grams per tonne by March 2026.
Freda Rebecca, currently the group’s flagship operation, has only four years of remaining mine life below the company’s ten-year threshold giving need to the urgency of the exploration and expansion programmes. However, Maseva-Shayawabaya remained optimistic about the company’s trajectory, saying that once the Shamva plant is operational, freed-up capacity at Freda could lift its production to 270 kilograms per month.
Looking ahead, the company forecasts gold production of 3,400 kilograms in the calendar year 2026, supported by higher grades, improved recoveries and increased milling throughput. At current gold prices of around US$4,100 per ounce, revenue is projected to reach approximately US$500 million, with profit before tax of about US$200 million.
“If we hit 570 kilograms per month within three years, today’s US$35 million dividend will pale in significance compared to what we pay in 2028,” Maseva-Shayawabaya told shareholders.
