Harare, (New Ziana) – The Manhize steel project, spearheaded by Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO), is widely being considered as one of Zimbabwe’s most ambitious industrial investments in decades, with analysts describing it as a potential game changer for both the national economy and the broader African manufacturing landscape.
In a post on its National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the Government said the project, valued at around US$1.5 billion, has attracted significant attention not merely because of its scale, but because of its integrated industrial model designed to transform Zimbabwe’s steel production capacity.
“The Manhize steel project has attracted so much attention in Zimbabwe and across Africa. The Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) project is significant not only because of its reported US$1.5 billion investment value, but because it is designed as a fully integrated steel complex rather than a simple rolling mill,” the government said.
The project covers multiple stages of the value chain—from iron ore processing and coke production through to steelmaking and manufacture of various steel products.
Unlike conventional steel operations that focus mainly on rolling imported inputs into finished products, the DISCO facility has been developed as a fully integrated steel complex, said the Government, adding that the operation spans multiple stages of the steel value chain, including iron ore processing, coke production, steelmaking and the manufacture of finished steel products.
Industry observers say this integrated approach positions the plant as more than a manufacturing site — effectively creating an industrial ecosystem capable of supporting broader economic activity.
A major feature underpinning the project’s operations is its reported 70 megawatts (MW) of captive power generation capacity, a figure regarded as substantial for a single industrial undertaking.
Energy experts note that steel production is among the most energy-intensive industrial activities globally, making reliable power supply critical for continuous production.
With self-generated electricity, Government said the plant reduces exposure to grid instability while improving operational reliability and efficiency with the available generation capacity likely to also support future expansion phases and potentially stimulate industrial activity around the plant.
The significance of the Manhize project extends beyond production volumes and infrastructure.
Following the collapse of the Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company (ZISCO), Zimbabwe became dependent on imported steel products for nearly two decades. This resulted in substantial foreign currency outflows and increased costs for local manufacturers.
Industries such as construction, mining, engineering and fabrication have relied heavily on imported steel, often facing higher production costs and supply chain vulnerabilities.
Reports indicating that Manhize is already helping reduce steel imports by approximately 50 percent suggest a major breakthrough in import substitution efforts.
Economists say every tonne of steel produced locally represents savings in foreign currency while simultaneously generating domestic industrial activity, employment opportunities and stronger local value chains.
Beyond immediate economic gains, the project carries broader strategic importance because steel remains a foundational industry for industrialisation.
Steel production supports key sectors including construction, rail infrastructure, energy development, mining equipment manufacturing, automotive assembly, agricultural mechanisation and engineering industries.
“Historically, countries that developed strong steel industries—such as China, South Korea, and India—used steel production as a foundation for broader industrial growth. For Zimbabwe, the long-term significance may extend beyond import substitution.
If future phases reach planned production levels and downstream industries expand around the plant, Manhize could become the nucleus of a much larger metallurgical and manufacturing hub, supplying both Zimbabwe and regional markets within the Southern African Development Community,” said the Government.
In that context, it said the project’s 70 MW power generation capacity is being viewed as more than an engineering milestone — it reflects the scale of infrastructure being assembled to support one of Africa’s largest emerging steel-making venture and Zimbabwe’s broader industrial ambitions.
New Ziana
