Following approval from His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa, the PEPDA between Invictus’s 80% owned subsidiary, Geo Associates and the Republic of Zimbabwe has been executed. The agreement was signed on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe by the Minister for Mines and Mining Development,
Hon. Winston Chitando at a signing ceremony at State House in Harare on Friday 26 March 2021.
The PEDPA provides the framework for progression of the Cabora Bassa Project through the exploration, appraisal, development and production phases, the obligations and rights of each party, the minimum work program obligations to maintain the licence in good standing, and the security of tenure for the project duration.
The PEDPA provides the licence holder the right to enter into a 25-year production licence following the exploration periods. The Company is currently in the 2nd exploration period.
The PEDPA also provides for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status for the Cabora Bassa Project which will facilitate a host of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives over the life of the project including legal and fiscal stability, offshore banking, zero capital gains tax, tax holiday periods and 15% corporate rate thereafter
His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa who was the guest of honour at the signing ceremony stated:
“The signing of the (PEDPA) agreement represents major strides in our efforts to tap into our oil and gas
deposits, which is a new territory in the country’s mining sector.”
President Mnangagwa said other potential benefits of an oil and gas discovery included electricity
generation, production of liquid petroleum, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), fertiliser production and
petrochemicals. President Mnangagwa said the signing of the PEDPA with Geo-Associates, (Invictus’ 80%
owned subsidiary), was testimony to the Government’s commitment to open up the economy to investment
as well as engage and reengage the global community to do business in Zimbabwe.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga stated that, “the exploration and development of oil and gas resources
is a game-changer in making the Zimbabwe energy sector self-sufficient which is key in realising our national
vision.”Minister for Mines and Mining Development Hon. Winston Chitando stated, “one of the early engagements
we had, as the Second Republic was to engage with Geo-Associates and Invictus to work together to ensure
that we work on the development programme of this asset. Should these (oil & gas test) wells be successful, as we hope, Zimbabwe will, by this time next year, be a producer of oil.”
Also read: Interview: Hon. Winston Chitando Zimbabwe Minister of Mines and Mining Development
Invictus Managing Director, Scott Macmillan commented:
“We are extremely pleased to have executed the PEDPA with the Republic in Zimbabwe following extensive
negotiation and collaboration with the various Ministries, government bodies and the Zimbabwe Investment
Development Authority (ZIDA). We are grateful for the collaborative and constructive efforts by the
Government to put the PEDPA in place which provides a robust framework to facilitate long term investment
into the oil and gas sector with confidence.
This is a significant milestone for the project which provides the security of tenure and the confidence for
the significant future investment ahead. The PEDPA and the provision for the creation of a Special Economic
Zone for the project lays out the pathway for rapid development of the project on exploration success.”
Joe Mutizwa, Non-Executive Director of Invictus’ local subsidiary and Chairman of Mangwana Capital
(shareholder of Invictus) representing the Company at the signing ceremony stated:
“The significant investment committed to by Invictus in our oil and exploration program has been made
possible by the conducive investment environment and significant reforms put in place by the Second
Republic. The Government should be commended for putting in place a robust investment framework to
govern the oil and gas sector and demonstrates that ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’.We are extremely pleased and extremely grateful to have the local communities in the Muzarabani and Mbire
Districts and Mashonaland Central Province express their full support for the project. We look forward to
working closely with and in the community during our exploration program and beyond. Invictus is also proud
to have a significant local indigenous investor in Mangwana Capital which I chair. Mangwana Capital
represents over 21 pension funds in the country we are proud to be supporting Invictus in this very important
project.This project is a potential game-changer for the country and if successful will change the energy landscape and place Zimbabwe on a path to an energy independent future.”
