Gweru Business Leaders Honoured in Morocco

Marrakesh, Morocco — River Valley Group of Companies Group Chairman, Engineer Mncedisi Dube, and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Smelly Dube, have been honoured with the Africa Inspiring Change Maker Award at the 3rd 100 Most Notable Africans Leadership and Business Summit 2026, adding another continental accolade to the Zimbabwean conglomerate's growing profile.

The three-day summit, held from June 26 to 28 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès within the Mövenpick Hotel in Marrakesh, Morocco, brought together African political leaders, diplomats, business executives and development stakeholders to discuss leadership, investment and sustainable economic growth across the continent.

Organised by the Nigeria-based Davdan Peace and Advocacy Foundation in collaboration with the 100 Most Notable Peace Icons Africa initiative, the summit recognises individuals and organisations whose contributions have promoted ethical leadership, enterprise development and cross-border cooperation in Africa.

Among those recognised at this year's event were Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, BUA Group Founder and Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu, and Sakunda Holdings Chief Executive Officer Kudakwashe Tagwirei.

Dr. Mcedisi Dube and Professor Smelly Dube were unable to attend the award ceremony due to prior business commitments.

River Valley Legal Officer Constance Madzudzu received the award on behalf of Ambassador Professor Dube, while Finance Director Richard Chiwara accepted the honour on behalf of Dr. Engineer Dube.

The awards ceremony followed a business conference attended by delegates from sectors including mining, property development, oil and gas, manufacturing, tourism and aviation, where participants explored opportunities for investment, regional integration and commercial partnerships.

During the summit, Ambassador Dube presented investment opportunities in Zimbabwe's property and mining sectors, highlighting River Valley Group's housing developments at Woodlands Park and Hertfordshire in Gweru, Magakooshla in Shurugwi and the operations of Tebekwe Mine under Matovu Investments.

Speaking after the award, Ambassador Smelly Dube described the recognition as an achievement shared by the company's workforce.

"I would like to thank the organisers for the recognition, which belongs to the entire River Valley Group workforce.

"This comes at a critical juncture as we actively seek to expand our operational footprint across the Southern African region and the broader continent.

"Morocco represents a premier investment destination, and we look forward to exploring mutually beneficial partnerships here," she said 

Group Chairman, Eng. Mncedisi Dube said the summit provided an important platform for strengthening business networks across Africa.

"While we appreciate this recognition, the true value of this platform lies in the ability to link, share capital-intensive ideas and scale businesses across borders.

"Intra-African trade and collaboration are fundamental to driving the continent's macro-economic future," he said.

The Marrakesh recognition comes only months after River Valley Group was inducted into the Top 100 Emerging Global Businesses Hall of Fame by the Leaders Without Borders Development Centre in April 2026, an honour recognising its contribution to infrastructure development and job creation.

The latest award further adds to the company's growing international recognition as it continues pursuing expansion opportunities across Africa.