The US$1.5 billion Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) in Manhize is now supplying locally produced steel to domestic industries, a development expected to reduce reliance on imports, save foreign currency and accelerate industrialisation.
This emerged during a medic tour of high-impact projects in Midlands organised by the Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services ministry.
The ministry said the tour was aimed at highlighting transformative projects that are reshaping Zimbabwe’s economy through large-scale investments in key productive sectors.
“The media tour’s first stop was at Dinson Iron and Steel Company in Manhize. The US$1.5 billion integrated steel plant is a subsidiary of China’s Tsingshan Holding Group.
“The plant began pig iron production in July 2024 and has set an annual production target of up to 1.2 million tonnes, positioning it among the largest steel manufacturing facilities in the region,” the ministry added.
According to the ministry, the plant’s blast furnaces are operating at full capacity while its continuous casting section is fully operational, producing steel billets and slabs for industrial use.
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“The blast furnaces are operating at full capacity, and continuous casting is fully operational, producing steel billets and slabs,” the ministry said.
“Currently, Dinson’s market is 60 percent domestic and 40 percent foreign, dominated by SADC countries. The major focus for now is on the local market, with the surplus for export. This strategy promotes import substitution for steel products.”
By supplying locally manufactured steel to domestic industries, the company is expected to strengthen value addition, reduce foreign currency expenditure on imports and support downstream manufacturing sectors that rely on steel inputs.