The Confederation of Zimbabwean Industries (CZI) says Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector must pivot towards producing intermediate goods locally to boost competitiveness and reduce import dependence.
Speaking at the Buy Local Conference, CZI chief executive officer Sekai Kuvarika said the country needs a strong export-led manufacturing drive to expand capacity and achieve economies of scale.
“Competitiveness means addressing primary production so that processing becomes competitive and we begin to reduce import dependency. Nearly 60% import reliance in food manufacturing is significant and must be addressed,” she said.
Kuvarika stressed that excess capacity in the market requires a shift towards exports.
“We need a strong export manufacturing drive to expand facilities and capabilities and justify scale. Without export competitiveness, we cannot justify investment in scaling manufacturing — and without scale, we remain uncompetitive,” she said.
She said CZI is promoting a “manufacturing for manufacturing” model focused on business-to-business (B2B) production of intermediate goods.
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“This gap must be addressed through investment policies, private sector investment, and enabling, competitive policies. Currently, we import semi-processed goods from countries we also compete with in export markets,” she said.
Kuvarika also called for the restoration and deepening of value chains.
“Some value chains need to be restored and deepened so we can achieve fully integrated systems enabled by policy, not solely by private investment. There are risks when value chains depend entirely on private players addressing supply constraints,” she said.
Buy Zimbabwe chairman Munyaradzi Hwengwere urged collective action to cut imports.
“We still import grains and oilseeds. With current global dynamics, including developments in the Middle East, we have an opportunity to act. If we reduce our import deficit by 75% in 2025, we can realistically aim for a trade surplus in the near future,” he said.
Hwengwere noted that Zimbabwe’s import bill has long been persistent.
“From 2021 to 2024, the import bill remained stubborn, averaging US$1.6 billion. But in 2025, we learned it can be reduced,” he said.
Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said reducing imports and strengthening local industry is central to economic sovereignty.
“Lowering the import bill while driving local industrial growth is key to achieving economic sovereignty. It is the fulcrum upon which Zimbabwe’s industrial renaissance and long-term economic trajectory must pivot,” he said.