Sharon Chigeza
MUTARE –The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndhlovu, officially launched the Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan (ZIRGP) 2024-2025 in Mutare, marking a significant step towards revitalising the country’s manufacturing and commercial sectors.
The ZIRGP is a new industrial policy framework that addresses the pressing challenges faced by these sectors while aligning industrial development with the upcoming National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), scheduled for 2026-2030.
At the launch event, Minister Ndhlovu articulated the need for the ZIRGP, stating that it aims to tackle the “main challenges faced by the manufacturing and commercial sectors” and to address underlying policy issues that have hindered growth.
“This plan is not just a document; it is a call to action to modernise our industries and support our collective aspirations under Vision 2030. The plan focuses on enhancing value addition and beneficiation in key sectors like agriculture and mining, with the goal of transforming Zimbabwe into a prosperous, empowered upper middle-income society,” he said.
The ZIRGP is structured as a comprehensive response to the economic difficulties that have plagued Zimbabwe for years, including high production costs, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of access to financing for local businesses.
The plan is designed to drive growth across various sectors, particularly focusing on enhancing productivity and competitiveness in Zimbabwe’s manufacturing landscape. It includes strategies for modernising equipment, adopting new technologies, and improving human capital development to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global economy.
Minister Ndlovu reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to closely monitoring the complex environment in which industries operate, considering both domestic macroeconomic conditions and global developments.
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government, private sector, and other stakeholders in successfully implementing the ZIRGP.
“The importance of collaboration with various stakeholders, including other ministries, the private sector, and academia, to develop innovative, climate-smart strategies. While acknowledging the progress made, we noted challenges such as the lingering effects of COVID-19, climate change, and geopolitical tensions like the war in Ukraine.
“I urge a focus on megatrends like renewable energy transitions and demographic shifts to navigate these complexities. Looking ahead to 2025, the Ministry’s strategic priorities will include strengthening value chains in agriculture and mining, combating business malpractices, and implementing supportive policies to stabilise commerce and protect local manufacturing,” he said.
He added that government will prioritise developing and strengthening of existing value chains in agriculture and mining, while promoting innovation, investment, and collaboration among stakeholders, with an emphasis on emerging value chains like lithium.
The launch of the ZIRGP comes at a time when Zimbabwe is seeking to reposition itself as a competitive player in regional and global markets. The plan outlines key initiatives aimed at boosting local production and reducing reliance on imports, which have historically burdened the economy. It also aims to enhance export capacity, ensuring that Zimbabwean products find a place in international markets.
The ZIRGP will complement the Vision 2030 framework, which envisions a prosperous and empowered society through sustainable economic growth. By aligning industrial strategies with national development goals, the Government aims to create a more resilient economy capable of withstanding external shocks.
As the ZIRGP is rolled out, the Government has committed to regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the objectives are being achieved. Minister Ndhlovu reiterated the Government’s support of the industrial sector, stating that together, Zimbabwe will be transformed into a manufacturing hub.
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