Story by Joyce Mabika
ZIMBABWE is intensifying its drive to build an innovation-led economy, with Government placing research, science and technology at the centre of its industrialisation agenda under the National Development Strategy Two (NDS2).
The renewed thrust was evident this Friday as the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Frederick Shava, toured the National Biotechnology Authority (NBA) and local engineering firm Verify Engineering.
At the National Biotechnology Authority, laboratories humming with activity and shelves lined with locally developed products reflected a sector increasingly shifting from research to commercial production. Officials showcased a range of innovations now being prepared for regional and international markets, including Mapfura-based products such as wine, brandy, vinegar and hand oil.
Professor Shava said strengthening research and biosafety systems is critical for Zimbabwe’s competitiveness and economic transformation.
“The establishment of a functional biosafety regulatory system aligned with international standards reflects Zimbabwe’s commitment to safeguarding human, animal and environmental health,” he said.
He also praised efforts to strengthen border controls and compliance systems amid growing regional and global trade.
Professor Shava said biotechnology and indigenous knowledge systems have the potential to unlock value addition, rural industrialisation and improved livelihoods.
“Initiatives such as the development and commercialisation of Mapfura-based products and cough syrup demonstrate how indigenous knowledge and biotechnology can enhance value addition and rural industrialisation,” he said.
Inside the authority’s innovation hub, researchers described how traditional resources are being transformed into export-ready products with minimal waste.
Board Chairperson of the National Biotechnology Authority, Professor Idah Sithole Niang said the institution is pursuing regional expansion after attracting interest during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
“This traditional biotechnology product that has come up and is making waves is the Mapfura wine, together with the brandy, vinegar and hand oil. Out of that process, we also produce briquettes for barbecuing. We throw away nothing,” she said.
“We definitely have intentions to penetrate the SADC market, and at the recent Zimbabwe International Trade Fair we made those inroads.”
The Minister later toured Verify Engineering, where locally manufactured industrial equipment and oxygen production systems highlighted Zimbabwe’s growing engineering capabilities.
The company played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic when disruptions in regional supply chains threatened medical oxygen imports.
Director of Technical Services at Verify Engineering, Mr Pinias Mhunduru said Government support has enabled the company to expand into export markets while reducing dependence on imports.
“The support we are getting from Government is very important to us. It has helped us to penetrate regional markets and increase exports,” he said.
“During COVID-19, Zimbabwe was importing oxygen gas from South Africa, but supply limitations emerged because of the crisis there. We managed to close that gap locally and saved significant foreign currency.”
The visits come as Government seeks to strengthen links between academia, research institutions and industry to accelerate industrial growth, improve productivity and position Zimbabwe as a competitive player in regional manufacturing and biotechnology markets.
