Captains of industry have called for accelerated value addition, expansion of manufacturing capacity and stronger product standards as Zimbabwe positions itself to capture a greater share of regional and global trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Business leaders say Zimbabwe’s long-term competitiveness will depend on its ability to move away from raw commodity exports and instead focus on industrialisation, innovation and high-quality production that meets international standards.
The call was made at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Congress held in Victoria Falls, where industry executives and policymakers discussed strategies to strengthen the country’s export base and integrate more effectively into global value chains.
ZNCC president Tapiwa Karoro said Zimbabwe must now shift its focus from resilience to competitiveness if it is to achieve sustainable 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.
Karoro added that emerging opportunities under AfCFTA and shifting global trade patterns would only benefit countries that are able to produce efficiently, innovate continuously and meet strict international quality standards.
He stressed the need for increased investment in manufacturing, technology adoption and modern production systems to reduce costs and improve productivity across industries.
Government was also commended for ongoing infrastructure development, energy investments, border modernisation and digital transformation initiatives, which industry leaders said are critical enablers of competitiveness. However, Karoro emphasised that stronger public-private partnerships remain essential for industrial growth.
Addressing the same gathering, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu, said government is implementing policy reforms aimed at strengthening industrial transformation and improving product quality standards.
“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.
He added that the forthcoming National Quality Policy, expected to be presented to Cabinet in the coming weeks, will enhance accreditation systems, quality assurance frameworks and standards development across all sectors of the economy.
The congress concluded with a shared view that Zimbabwe’s future economic growth will depend heavily on industrialisation, technological advancement and the ability to produce competitive, value-added goods for both regional and international markets.
