Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector has traditionally been one of the key drivers of the economy. In order to achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, Zimbabwe has identified value addition as a key strategy in ensuring economic growth and development, and in the successful implementation of Special Economic Zones recently adopted by the Government . Value addition has also been identified as one of the key strategies towards restoring the country’s productive sectors and improving exports of locally produced goods, hence the importance of increased investment into the manufacturing sector.
The main drivers of the manufacturing sector are in the subsectors of food and beverages, leather and leather products, packaging and plastic, timber, metals and metal products, textile and clothing, chemicals, ICT and pharmaceuticals.
The sector presents vast opportunities to investors especially given its diversification, strong growth potential and its backward and forward linkages. Most of the industries in the manufacturing sector require investment to recapitalise, retool and expand operations.