Sharon Chigeza

MUTARE-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially opened the Mega Market Flour Milling Plant and a new Natpharm Warehouse in Mutare, a dual development hailed as a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s pursuit of industrial growth, value addition, and food self-sufficiency.

The state-of-the-art milling plant, initially launched in 2022 at a reduced capacity, is now operating at its full potential, processing up to 300 tonnes of wheat daily.

Specialising in the production of white bread, self-raising, cake, and biscuit flours, the facility supplies both domestic and regional markets.

It is a key driver of the nation’s agro-industrial transformation, creating employment, supporting local wheat farmers, and stimulating downstream industries in the baking and confectionery sectors.

Shifting focus to the Natpharm Warehouse, President Mnangagwa emphasised the critical importance of a robust health sector, stating that the new Mutare facility is vital for reducing fatalities through the reliable provision of essential medicines.

The warehouse’s enhanced storage capacity and a 320 kw solar power installation are expected to significantly improve service delivery. Furthermore, its strategic location near the Port of Beira will streamline logistics and reduce transportation bottlenecks.

The President affirmed that this facility is a crucial step toward achieving universal health access for all citizens.

He added that the government will continue to capacitate Natpharm by promoting local medicine production.

“I challenge my Government, private sector and tertiary institutions, to scale up collaboration in provision of medicines.”

Together, these projects align with the government’s Vision 2030, which aims to build a modern, industrialised, and self-sustaining economy powered by local production and innovation.