Story by Owen Mandovha
ZIMBABWE’S industrialisation drive is creating new opportunities for young entrepreneurs, with emerging businesses expanding into manufacturing, creating jobs and breaking into regional export markets.
President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s visit to the Glytime exhibition stand during last week’s Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo highlighted the transformation of a business established in 2018 into a regional manufacturer operating from the Sunway City Industrial Complex in Ruwa, one of Zimbabwe’s Special Economic Zones.
Glytime Founder and Chief Executive Officer Mr Lesley Marange attributed the company’s growth to opportunities created by the economy and government support, which has enabled it to expand production and export to neighbouring countries.
“We have now benefitted from incentives provided by this Special Economic Zone here at Sunway City, and we now have a 30-tonne industrial capacity employing at least 70 people. Our firm is now exporting into Botswana, South Africa, Malawi and Zambia. In just eight years, Glytime is now a big industrial giant,” he said.
The company, which began operations in a makeshift kitchen employing four people, has since invested in modern processing technology and diversified its product range.
“We started in a makeshift kitchen employing just four people in 2018. We had a mere capacity of just eight kilogrammes per day. Glytime has grown into an industrial giant now manufacturing a range of healthy foods,” Mr Marange said.
Glytime Foods Supervisor Mr Joseph Machikicho said the company’s expanded production capacity now enables it to meet growing demand.
“The plant capacity enables us to run multiple production lines per shift and meet all our client and market needs.”
Human Resources Officer Ms Tariro Mungwena said the business has prioritised inclusive employment.
“We have a staff complement of over 78 people, of which 52 per cent are women. We also employ various youths, including graduates, in different positions.”
Food Science graduate Ms Musawenkosi Ngwenya said the company had provided an opportunity to develop her professional skills.
“I am a Food Science graduate, and Glytime has allowed me to apply my skills and grow with the company.”
The company’s expansion has also been supported by the National Venture Capital Company of Zimbabwe (NVCCZ), which became an equity partner three years ago.
NVCCZ Chief Executive Officer Mr Tino Kambasha said Glytime exemplifies the impact of strategic government support for emerging businesses.
“Through the Industrial Development Fund and the Venture Fund, we are a debt and equity partner in Glytime. We are proud to support innovative businesses that create jobs. Glytime represents what government support can do to grow the local economy.”
President Mnangagwa has consistently identified small and medium enterprises as a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s industrial transformation.
“Small and Medium Enterprises are essential pillars in the Industrial Transformation Roadmap and Implementation Framework. 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,” he said.
Glytime also credits ZimTrade for supporting its entry into regional export markets.
The company’s growth reflects Zimbabwe’s broader industrialisation agenda, demonstrating how youth-led enterprises are capitalising on opportunities in manufacturing while creating employment and contributing to economic growth.
