By Tinotenda Afarasi
The revival of the manufacturing sector remains on top of the Second Republic’s agenda, with boosting value addition and beneficiation of agricultural produce critical in the attainment of Vision 2030.
This was said by Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu at a 2025 Strategic Planning Workshop in Mutare.
The workshop came at a time when local industry continues to increase production, with over 85 percent of products on local shelves produced locally.
Increased local production has created thousands of jobs for the people in the manufacturing sector and downstream, including at farms, retail stores and others.
Said Minister Ndlovu: “As we commence this workshop, I want to emphasise the importance of our collective mission to implement the National Development Strategy 1.
“Our Ministry plays a pivotal role in driving the pillar focused on ‘Moving the economy up the value chains and structural transformation’.
“This is not merely a statement; it is a commitment to enhancing value addition and beneficiation in our agriculture and mining sectors.”
Minister Ndlovu said with the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy (ZNIDP) 2019 to 2023 ending in December 2023, the Zimbabwe Industrial
Reconstruction and Growth Plan (ZIRGP) 2024 to 2025, was crafted to serve as a transitional framework to align the industrial policy with the National Development Strategy 2 (2026 to 2030), in line with Integrated Development Planning (IDP) and Integrated Results-Based Management (IRBM).
The ZIRGP is expected to address the immediate challenges in the
manufacturing and commercial sectors while laying a solid foundation for accelerated industrial development under ZNIDP 2 to achieve Vision 2030
aspirations.
Minister Ndlovu said the goal of the ministry is to transform Zimbabwe into
a prosperous and empowered middle-income society by 2030.
“This vision compels us to boost productivity, enhance competitive-υυυ τττ ness, and improve efficiency across both industrial and commercial sectors.
“We must position ourselves as a major source of decent jobs for the Zimbabwean citizenry and sustainable growth. As many of you know, we hosted the SADC Industrialisation Week during the last week of July, a significant event that underscored our commitment to innovation and sustainable economic development.
“The successful hosting of the 44th ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State
and Government further highlighted our leadership role in the region. As
we take on the mantle of SADC Chairmanship, we have a unique
opportunity to leverage this position to advance our strategic goals.”
In this context, said Minister Ndlovu, Zimbabwe must make significant strides in supporting its industries through effective policy interventions.
“To make an impact, we must embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
I am delighted to report that we have made notable progress.
“However, our journey has not been without challenges. Headwinds have forced us to adapt and re-evaluate certain aspects of our plan.
“We are more determined to confront issues head-on. We are more aligned than ever with our strategic priorities,” he said.
But a close monitoring of the multifaceted environment within which local industries operate is necessary to ensure their success.
This includes a thorough understanding of not only the domestic macroeconomic landscape, but also the dynamic global developments that impact Zimbabwean economic activities.
Fostering robust collaborations with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), the private sector and
academia is equally important, said Minister Ndlovu.
“By cultivating innovative strategies and climate-smart solutions, we can effectively address the intricate macro-economic challenges confronting our industries on the domestic front.
“On a global scale, the aftermath of the compounding crises induced by the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change repercussions, and geopolitical conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, continue to reverberate through the global economy.
“Despite these challenges, it is paramount that we seize the opportunities presented by prevailing megatrends.
“These megatrends encompass transformative shifts such as the transition towards renewable energy sources, demographic transformations, global geopolitical realignments, and the ongoing evolution brought forth by the fourth industrial revolution,” he said.
By leveraging the megatrends, the local industry can be positioned to not only navigate the present global landscape, but also to thrive and innovate in the face of adversity.
Going forward, there is optimism that the country is well-positioned to accelerate its progress and fulfil the ambitious goals that have been set, of attaining a prosperous upper-middle income economy by 2030.
Minister Ndlovu said next year, the strategic focus must include enhancing value chains where development and strengthening of existing value chains in agriculture and mining will be strengthened.
It is expected that this will involve creating policies that promote innovation, investment and collaboration among stakeholders.
Emphasis will also be put on new value chains such as lithium.
Combatting business malpractices and promoting consumer welfare will also be key.
Priority would be given on the restoration of order and organised commerce, to promote sanity and stability in the marketplace.
Minister Ndlovu said businesses must operate by established laws and industry standards.
“Business malpractices pose a serious threat to the viability of our local
manufacturing sector and also negatively impact employment and job
creation,” he said.
In terms of policy interventions Government plans to implement effective policies that support the growth of industries.
This includes streamlining regulations and facilitating access to resources for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises.
“We remain resolutely committed to the creation of a level playing field for all business players,” he said.
Efforts will continue to be made to invest in human capital.
In this regard, a number of programmes aimed at enhancing skills and knowledge in the workforce will be initiated, a move that ensures the country is prepared to meet the demands of a dynamic economy.
As the country pursues growth, focus will also be on sustainability.
The initiatives to be crafted will aim to create resilient green industries that can thrive in the face of global challenges, including climate change.
Partnerships between the public and private sectors will also be strengthened to ensure economic growth, said Minister Ndlovu.
“Together, we can drive innovation, improve infrastructure, and enhance service delivery.
“The Government can never deliver GDP growth. That is the private sector’s
responsibility and the Government remains committed to providing the
requisite conducive environment for business to thrive,” he said.
AfCFTA preparedness
As Africa is now entering into the implementation of the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) trade protocol, as a Ministry we should ensure that industry is prepared for the extra competition that this will bring.
“Industry should also be in a position to ensure that Zimbabwean products are competitive in the continent, thus bringing in the much-needed foreign currency,” he said.
But Minister Ndlovu is aware that all his plans will not be smooth sailing.
“The road ahead will undoubtedly present challenges, but I am confident that by working together and applying a Whole of Government approach, we can overcome these obstacles and unlock a brighter future for our industry and commerce, and indeed our nation,” he said.
Deliberate policies by the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa, such as tackling foreign currency shortages, improving the ease of doing business environment and creating Special Economic Zones, has attracted more investors into Zimbabwe.
