Story by Wellington Makonese
ZIMBABWE’s drive towards industrialisation and value addition is gaining momentum as the multi-billion-dollar Dinson Iron and Steel project in Manhize transforms into one of the country’s largest integrated manufacturing operations, with production already underway and thousands of jobs being created.
The massive steel plant, now more than 70 percent complete, is positioning Zimbabwe as a future regional steel manufacturing hub while stimulating growth in mining, construction and downstream industries through local value addition and import substitution.
Towering blast furnaces, roaring machinery and expanding production lines now dominate the Manhize landscape as Dinson Iron and Steel accelerates operations under the National Development Strategy Two (NDS2).
Once fully operational, the integrated plant is expected to produce 1.2 million metric tonnes of steel annually.
The project incorporates a complete steel production value chain, including a raw material complex, sintering plant, blast furnace, pig iron processing section, steelmaking facilities and rolling mills.
Dinson Iron and Steel Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ben Xu, described the investment as a landmark industrial development project for Zimbabwe.
“This is Zimbabwe’s biggest strategic industrial project under NDS2. 95% of our workers are Zimbabweans, with over 90 percent coming from local communities,” the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ben Xu noted.
Already, the plant is producing hot wire rods, mining steel mill balls, water and gas pipes, bolts and nuts products previously imported into the country.
It is no longer about projections but production at full throttle.
“This plant has opened up job opportunities for us youths in the community and many other locals. There have been plenty of skills exchanges; many came semi or non-equipped, but now they occupy critical positions,” a community member said.
The project is also creating tail-end industries expected to support mining, construction and manufacturing sectors.
“Steel remains a strategic product that supports infrastructure development, manufacturing and value addition. As we expand production, we are creating more jobs and opening opportunities for both upstream and downstream industries to process local products and strengthen the economy.
“This is fully aligned with President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 and the industrialisation thrust under NDS2. Zimbabwe has a strong history of adding value to its natural resources, and the focus now is to reduce the export of raw materials in favour of finished products.
“The country has the manpower, the skills and the industrial capacity to achieve this vision,” Project Manager at Dinson Iron and Steel, Mr Wilfred Motsi said.
As production scales up, the Manhize project is increasingly becoming a symbol of Zimbabwe’s drive towards industrialisation, value addition and import substitution under the Second Republic
