MINISTER NDHLOVU CALLS FOR INCREASED BUDGETARY SUPPORT TO DRIVE INDUSTRIALISATION AND LOCAL PRODUCTION
The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon. Mangaliso Ndhlovu called for increased budgetary support to strengthen local industries, create jobs and accelerate Zimbabwe’s economic transformation journey in line with NDS2 and Vision 2030.
Speaking at the 2027 Parliament Pre-Budget Seminar in Bulawayo, Hon. Ndhlovu highlighted the importance of industrial financing, local procurement, value addition and beneficiation as key for building a competitive, export-oriented economy.
Manufacturing capacity utilisation has reached 61.2%, with the sector contributing 16.2% to GDP and manufactured exports generating US$593 million.
To build on this performance, the Ministry proposes increasing the Industrial Development Fund to ZWG142 million in 2027 to support local enterprises and expand production.
The Ministry is proposing local-content targets of 25% by 2027, 35% by 2029 and 40% by 2030. Priorities include promoting Zimbabwean-made products, supporting vehicle assembly and garment manufacturing, strengthening domestic supply chains, accelerating mineral beneficiation and reviving local fertiliser production to reduce import dependence.
To improve the ease of doing business, the Ministry will build on the review of 291 licences, permits, levies and fees, while pursuing simplified business registration and a one-stop online registration portal. Investment in Special Economic Zones across all provinces will also support industrial development and employment creation.
Rural industrialisation will be advanced through plans to revitalise 61 Community Economic Empowerment Trusts, with proposed seed capital of US$6.1 million to expand community participation in economic activities.
The Ministry also seeks to strengthen consumer protection through market surveillance, product testing and standards enforcement, while operationalising the National Bioequivalence Centre to reduce pharmaceutical testing costs and turnaround times.
Adequate funding for these initiatives will be essential to expand productive capacity, strengthen industrial competitiveness, increase exports and create sustainable employment as Zimbabwe advances towards Vision 2030.