Story by Yolanda Moyo
CAPTAINS of industry have underscored the importance of value addition, expanding manufacturing capacity and improving product standards for Zimbabwe to capture a larger share of continental trade and reduce dependence on raw commodity exports.
The call comes as Zimbabwean businesses position themselves within rapidly integrating continental and global markets expected to reshape trade flows, manufacturing investment and regional value chains.
To accelerate competitiveness reforms, industry executives say the country’s ability to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and global markets will depend on lowering production costs, improving productivity and meeting international standards.
Industry leaders also stressed the need for affordable long-term financing, technological adoption and modernisation of production systems to strengthen export competitiveness.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Congress in Victoria Falls, ZNCC president Mr Tapiwa Karoro said Zimbabwe must shift from resilience to competitiveness as the foundation for economic growth.
“Zimbabwean businesses have demonstrated remarkable resilience, but lasting prosperity requires competitiveness, innovation, industrialisation and exports. Our natural resources, strategic location, skilled workforce and access to regional markets provide strong advantages, but these must be converted into productive investment, jobs and globally competitive enterprises,” he said.
Mr Karoro said opportunities presented by AfCFTA, emerging trade corridors and global investment shifts would only benefit countries capable of producing efficiently, meeting international standards and continuously innovating.
He added that industrialisation remains critical, noting that Zimbabwe must process more of its raw materials, add value to its resources and increase exports of finished products.
While commending government efforts in infrastructure development, border modernisation, energy investments and digital transformation, Mr Karoro said competitiveness is best achieved through strong public-private sector partnerships.
Addressing the congress, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable Mangaliso Ndlovu, said government is strengthening policies aimed at supporting industrial transformation, including the recently approved Consumer Protection Policy and the forthcoming National Quality Policy.
“Competitiveness depends on consumer confidence, quality and adherence to standards. Government will continue strengthening quality infrastructure, standards enforcement and consumer protection mechanisms to ensure Zimbabwean products meet regional and global market requirements,” he said.
Hon Ndlovu said the National Quality Policy, expected to be presented to Cabinet in the coming weeks, will strengthen standards development, accreditation systems and quality assurance across all sectors of the economy.
The consensus emerging from Victoria Falls was that competitiveness, industrialisation and technology-driven productivity must become the foundation for sustainable economic expansion and long-term prosperity.
