President Mnangagwa Reaffirms Vision to Make Zimbabwe a Regional and Global Industrial Hub

By Nevison Mpofu President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reaffirmed Zimbabwe's ambition to become one of Africa's leading manufacturing and industrial economies, outlining an agenda centered on infrastructure development, green industrialisation, innovation, value addition and regional trade. Speaking at the official opening of the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo 2026 on Thursday, July 23, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe is steadily positioning itself as a competitive industrial hub serving regional, continental and global markets. Held under the theme "Accelerating Regional Industrialisation through Regional Value Chains, Innovation and Trade," the conference brought together more than 500 delegates from government, industry, academia and the private sector to explore strategies for strengthening Zimbabwe's manufacturing sector and accelerating industrial growth. The event also featured the launch of the State of Industry Report and 2027 Prospects Study, providing fresh insights into the country's industrial performance and future outlook. Addressing delegates, President Mnangagwa stressed that modern infrastructure remains the cornerstone of industrial transformation. Delegates attend the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo 2026, which focused on accelerating regional industrialisation through value chains, innovation and trade. "Modern and resilient infrastructure, stable energy supply, efficient transport systems, reliable logistics, digital connectivity and secure water supplies are fundamental prerequisites which must be continually revisited," he said. He noted that sustained investment in these sectors would lower production costs, improve competitiveness and expand Zimbabwe's manufacturing capacity. "In doing so, we are able to boost industrial growth, lower production costs, enhance competitiveness and facilitate trade. The broader objective is to position our country as a high-performing and competitive manufacturing and industrial hub, not only for Zimbabwe but for regional, continental and international markets," President Mnangagwa added. The President also highlighted the importance of environmentally sustainable industrial development, urging businesses to embrace cleaner technologies and innovation. "Green industrialisation presents Zimbabwe with an opportunity to build competitive industries. I call upon all sectors of the economy to adjust their processes and technologies with this reality in mind." President Mnangagwa inspects locally manufactured products while touring the exhibition, underscoring Zimbabwe's commitment to value addition, industrial innovation and economic transformation. While reaffirming government's commitment to industrial development, President Mnangagwa emphasized that lasting success will require a whole-of-society approach. He called on manufacturers to invest in innovation and productivity, financial institutions to provide affordable capital, and universities and research institutions to produce the skills needed to drive Zimbabwe's industrial transformation. Zimbabwe's manufacturing sector has shown significant progress in recent years. Capacity utilization rose from 35 percent in 2019 to 61.2 percent during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting improved industrial activity and production. Manufacturing exports also increased from US$360 million in 2019 to US$584 million, signaling growing value addition and beneficiation across key industries. The manufacturing sector now contributes approximately 17 percent of Zimbabwe's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite these gains, the State of Industry Report indicates that Zimbabwe continues to import approximately US$2.5 billion worth of manufactured goods that could potentially be produced domestically, highlighting opportunities for increased local production and import substitution. Minister of Industry and Commerce Mangaliso Ndhlovu said Zimbabwe must intensify efforts to expand value addition and beneficiation if it is to strengthen industrial competitiveness and boost exports. "Through stronger synergies within the manufacturing sector and other sectors of the economy, more can be done to accelerate the realization of our targets. Focus must not only be on import substitution but also on developing new economic drivers, increasing high-value exports, promoting regional integration and diversifying export markets," Minister Ndhlovu said. The conference reinforced Zimbabwe's broader industrialisation agenda, with policymakers and business leaders emphasizing collaboration, innovation and investment as key pillars for transforming the country's manufacturing sector into a major contributor to sustainable economic growth and regional competitiveness.