By Marshall Bwanya
HARARE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed businessman and Zanu PF Central Committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei as minister of Economic Development and Investment Promotion in a Cabinet reshuffle that also sees Professor Mthuli Ncube reassigned to the finance ministry.
The changes were announced on Thursday in a statement by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, dated 8 October 2026.
Tagwirei, a prominent businessman with growing public-sector and political responsibilities, takes charge of the economic development and investment promotion portfolio with immediate effect.
The appointments were made in terms of Section 104(1) of the Constitution.
Tagwirei was recently appointed to the Senate following constitutional changes that expanded the upper house.
He also chairs the Land Tenure Implementation Committee, which has been spearheading government efforts to make agricultural land bankable and unlock an estimated US$20 billion in land value.
His appointment gives him a direct role in shaping the government’s economic development and investment promotion agenda as Mnangagwa’s administration continues to pursue its Vision 2030 programme.
Ncube, who previously held the combined Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion portfolio, has been reassigned to head the Ministry of Finance.
The reshuffle effectively separates the Finance function from economic development and investment promotion, which had previously been housed under one ministry.
Both appointments take effect immediately.
The changes come as the government continues to place emphasis on investment, land reform and economic development, with Tagwirei taking on a more prominent role in the country’s public administration.
