ADDRESS

BY

THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF

ZIMBABWE, HIS EXCELLENCY,

DR. E. D. MNANGAGWA

AT

THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE ZIMBABWE

INDUSTRIALISATION CONFERENCE & EXPO

HARARE

23 JULY 2026

Director of Ceremonies;

Vice President, Hon. Gen. (Rtd.) Dr.C.G.D.N. Chiwenga;

Vice President, Hon. Col. (Rtd.) Dr. K. C. D. Mohadi;

National Chairman of ZANU PF and Minister of

Defence, Hon. O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri;

Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province,

Hon. C. Z. Tawengwa;

Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon. N. M. Ndlovu;

Honourable Ministers;

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet,

Dr. M. Rushwaya;

Executive Secretary of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Ms. C. M. Kapwepwe;

Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, His Excellency, W. K. Mene;

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe,

Dr. R. Kalapurakal;

Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

Captains of Industry and Commerce, Investors,

Exhibitors and Development Partners;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is my singular honour and privilege, to preside at the official launch of the inaugural Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo 2026.

I commend the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with Africa Economic Development Strategies, among other stakeholders, for convening this important forum under the forward-looking theme, “Accelerating Industrialisation Through Regional Value Chains, Innovation and Trade.”

As Government, we treasure this opportunity where we can join different socio-economic sectors, along with our friends and partners to proffer strategies that help propel the existing development, modernisation and industrialisation of our motherland, Zimbabwe, for the benefit of all our people.

It is most opportune that this Conference is taking place following the research findings of the State of Industry and 2027 Prospects Study.

The Study outlines the substantial progress that has been realised to stimulate structural transformation in line with our quest to move our economy up the value chains.

However, more work must be done with regards harnessing and exploiting opportunities for import substitution, industrial expansion, and regional exports across several strategic industries.

The need to beneficiate iron and steel, lithium, cement, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, leather, cotton, fertilizers, dairy, oilseed processing as well as sugar, grains, logistics and packaging, are areas deserving attention from us all.

Additionally, the Study confirms that Zimbabwe’s industrial sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, recording higher capacity utilisation, which is now at 61.2% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 35% in 2019.

During the same period manufactured exports also increased from US$360 million (2019) to the current US$584 million, reflecting improved value addition and beneficiation. The Manufacturing Sector now accounts for 17% of GDP. I applaud the sector for this phenomenal growth. Congratulations.

Distinguished Delegates;

History teaches us that sustainable prosperity is attained through building a strong industrial base and capabilities to transform resources into high-value products.

Ultimately, every society has a duty to generate employment, stimulate innovation, increase production and productivity to effectively compete at the global market.

The shared national Vision 2030, rich natural resource endowments, strategic geographic position, resilient infrastructure give our country favourable variables.

Additionally, skilled and entrepreneurial citizens, coupled with strong partnerships and efficient enterprises provide the requisite ingredients, necessary to drive industrialisation and a prosperous economy.

I call upon you, stakeholders in industry and commerce, to draw inspiration from our country’s development philosophy,

“Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo. Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo.”

It is through our own hard work, disciplined focus and patriotic commitment that we can accelerate

‘Industrialisation Through Regional Value Chains, Innovation and Trade’ , riding on our unique national competitiveness.

The empowerment, wealth creation and higher quality of social and economic services are the sum total of minerals processed locally, agricultural products transformed into a finished export, manufactured machinery, pharmaceutical products, textiles or engineering components made here in the country.

The Zimbabwean jobs, innovation and overall national prosperity depend on us all, and as industry you have a critical role to play.

The situation highlighted in the State of Industry Report, that the country is currently importing approximately US$2.5 billion worth of manufactured products which can be produced locally is untenable.

Zvokwadi-Zvokwadi, Nyika inevanhu vakadzidza semi, tinema innovation hubs nema industrial parks kuma University, nema skills akawanda-wanda munyika totenga zvinhu chero, kwete! Izvi Minister Ndlovu, ngazvigadziriswe. Mari iyoyo, ngaishande muno munyika, ichitenga maproducts agadzirwa muno.

The need to scale-up beneficiation, value addition, manufacturing and export of processed materials, is now urgent. Minister Ndlovu, I am confident that through stronger synergies within the manufacturing and other sectors of the economy, more can be done to accelerate the realisation of set targets.

Focus must not only be on import substitution, but also on new economic drivers, trade in high value exports, regional integration and export diversification. We are not an island. Increasing trade within SADC, COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area is an obligation that should be given priority. Zimbabwe remains committed to protocols and instruments at both continental and regional levels with regards to the Industrialisation Agenda and Intra-Africa trade.

Our nation is honoured to host the official Southern African Hub and Headquarters of the Intra-African Trade Fair Company as well as the Afreximbank Africa Trade Centre (AATC), here in Harare.

As you are now well aware, my Administration is about results, hence your industry and sector targets should be deliberately pursued with clear time bound strategies.

On its part, my Government will continue facilitating the success of our Industrialisation Agenda. Institutional reforms are being undertaken and cultivating a new national mindset anchored on stewardship, productivity, innovation, discipline and sustainability.

We are strengthening industry-financing mechanisms, improving the investment climate and mobilising domestic as well as international capital to bolster the productive sectors of the economy.

Modern and resilient infrastructure, stable energy supply, efficient transport systems, reliable logistics, digital connectivity and secure water supplies are fundamental pre-requisites which must be continually revisited.

In doing so, we are able to boost industrial growth, lower production costs, towards enhancing competitiveness and facilitating trade.

I am pleased that to date; these aspects are being incrementally addressed with tangible benefits accruing to a favourable regulatory framework as well as the ease and cost of doing business. The broader objective, is to strategically position our country as a high-performing and competitive manufacturing and industrial hub, for regional, continental and international markets.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;

The intricate connection between successful industrial revolution, research, development, technology and innovation cannot be overlooked.

It is commendable that a notable number of local firms have deployed appropriate technology upgrades and investments, including in artificial intelligence, to improve production efficiencies.

This reflects the growing commitment by industry players to continuous improvement and innovation. Well-done.

Under the Second Republic, industrial innovation must translate into stronger domestic value chains, supplier development programmes, industrial clusters and local procurement initiatives that deepen backward and forward linkages.

Stakeholders in mining and mineral value chain industries are challenged to quickly adapt and ensure that our strategic minerals are value added and beneficiated for win-win benefits. As I have said in the past, my government does not accept “horse and rider” economic cooperation or investments, including from local manufacturing players.

Our policy stance is unequivocal. National resources must be processed and beneficiated for the realisation of maximum economic returns that benefit all our people, and the economy as a whole, not merely a few shareholders, directors and management.

Ultimately, domestic manufacturing and new downstream industries should be established to create sustainable employment and export earnings.

In this respect, Small and Medium Enterprises are essential pillars in the Industrial Transformation Roadmap and Implementation Framework. Hence, I urge, the sector to have a wholistic approach to improving the state of industry and our national prospects going forward.

By integrating SMEs into formal value chains and expanding access to finance, technology and markets, we strengthen the resilience and inclusiveness of our industrial economy.

I am pleased that during the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Indaba, held last week, some SMEs which attained a turn-over of US$3 million and above, were accordingly handed to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. This is commendable and such more entities should be nurtured as we empower our youth and women entrepreneurs.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

The country’s present modernisation and industrialisation should be accompanied by sustainability. The future belongs to industries that are energy-efficient, environmentally-responsible and climate-resilient.

Green industrialisation, therefore, presents Zimbabwe with an opportunity to build competitive industries, while preserving our natural heritage for future generations.

I call upon all sectors of the economy to adjust processes and technologies with this reality in mind.

The future of our nation is bright. Be assured of policy certainty and an enabling environment for business diversification and growth.

However, Government policy alone will not suffice, there is need to embrace the ‘Whole of Industry and Society Approach’ for us to speedily realise more success milestones. Industry must invest and innovate; financial institutions must provide affordable capital and the academia ensure relevant knowledge and skills.

Development Partners are always welcome to support and complement the ongoing transformative national development agenda.

As Zimbabweans, let us never faulter in our sacred responsibility to national development;

Kuma industry edu neku ma-factories munhu wese ngaazive kuti, “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo.

Patriotism and love for our country should be entrenched at every level towards increasing the factories we establish, technologies we develop, products we manufacture, as well as the high value exports we grow and jobs we create.

It is my expectation that this Conference, will proffer the necessary recommendations, while also identifying new investment opportunities, partnerships and solutions that shall accelerate Zimbabwe’s industrial transformation agenda.

I am confident that together, we have the collective resolve and focus to move with greater urgency, agility, and unity of purpose to further transform the manufacturing sector for the good of our motherland, Zimbabwe.

With these remarks, it is now my singular honour and privilege to officially declare the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo 2026, officially opened. I wish us a fruitful engagement.

God bless you.

God bless Zimbabwe.

I thank you.