Zimbabwe’s iron and steel export earnings surged by 373.4 percent in the first half of 2026.
According to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), iron and steel exports generated US$62.2 million between January and June 2026.
“The iron and steel sector recorded a significant increase in export earnings during the first half of 2026. The earnings rose from US$13.1 million in January to June 2025 to US$62.2 million during the same period in 2026,”RBZ said.
The RBZ said the significant increase represents a US$49.1 million rise in export earnings and highlights the growing contribution of the iron and steel industry to Zimbabwe’s external trade.
“The growth comes as Zimbabwe continues rebuilding its domestic iron and steel value chain, with the Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) plant at Manhize playing a central role in efforts to expand local steel production,”it said.
The RBZ said the developments in the iron and steel sector were creating opportunities for Zimbabwe to increase the value derived from its mineral resources instead of relying predominantly on exports of raw or minimally processed minerals.
“The growth in iron and steel exports reflects increasing value addition in the mineral sector,” the central bank said.
The RBZ said Zimbabwe’s export performance in the sector presented opportunities for further growth as domestic production and processing capacity expanded.
“Manhize is increasingly positioning Zimbabwe to move beyond exporting raw minerals towards beneficiated, higher-value iron and steel products,” the central bank said.
The expansion of steel production also has potential to stimulate downstream industries, including construction, engineering, manufacturing and metal fabrication, which rely heavily on steel and related products.
The sharp rise in export receipts comes as Government continues promoting mineral beneficiation and value addition under its industrialisation strategy, seeking to retain a greater share of the value generated from the country’s abundant mineral resources.
