President Mnangagwa, Global Investor Prateek Suri Hold Quiet Dubai Talks on Tech and Mining Reform

World Government Summit 2026 venue in Dubai

A low-key but strategically significant meeting between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and global investor Prateek Suri has emerged as one of the quieter highlights of the World Government Summit 2026 in Dubai. Held away from the summit’s official venues at a private residence, the meeting brought together a small circle of senior officials, including Zimbabwe’s Minister of ICT, signalling a deliberate focus on technology-led economic reform and digital infrastructure development.

The World Government Summit, convened under the theme “Shaping Future Governments,” has drawn more than 35 heads of state and over 150 government delegations, alongside global investors, technology leaders, and policy innovators. Sources familiar with the discussions say talks centred on technology-driven growth, mining sector opportunities, and infrastructure modernisation, with particular emphasis on establishing a startup innovation hub supported by a blend of government grants and private equity participation. Analysts note that the presence of the ICT minister was telling.

“The conversation was about execution and systems, not slogans,” said an analyst tracking African investment flows. “Having the ICT minister in the room underscores that digital transformation is no longer peripheral to Zimbabwe’s economic strategy.”

Prateek Suri, chairman of Maser Group and chief executive of MDR Investments, has built a reputation for operating in complex emerging markets. His investment portfolio spans logistics, mining, energy, and digital infrastructure, positioning him as a key intermediary between African governments and global capital.

The engagement also coincided with Suri’s participation in the Global Logistics Dialogue Roundtable, where he spoke on the role of trade corridors, smart infrastructure, and digital logistics systems in enabling inclusive and sustainable growth across developing economies.

Political and economic observers view the meeting as part of Zimbabwe’s broader shift toward pragmatic, partnership-driven development, rather than headline-heavy diplomacy.

“This wasn’t symbolic engagement,” said a governance expert. “It reflects a targeted approach working with investors who understand Africa’s operational realities and long-term risks.”

Although no official communiqué was issued, the meeting has reinforced Suri’s standing as a trusted interlocutor for governments seeking structural transformation and highlighted Zimbabwe’s intent to reposition itself within global investment networks, particularly in technology and resource-linked value chains.

President Mnangagwa; Global Investor Prateek Suri; Tech and Mining Reform