Amos Mpofu mpofuamos41@gmail.com
YOUNG Zimbabweans have been urged to seize emerging opportunities in value addition and beneficiation, as the country records significant growth in both agriculture and mining.
This was said by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu in his keynote address delivered on his behalf by his representative, Mr Brighton Ndebele, during the ongoing three-day Annual Convention of the Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) under the Zimbabwe West Union Conference (ZWUC), being held at Solusi University.
Addressing delegates, Minister Ndhlovu acknowledged that primary agricultural production has strengthened markedly across tobacco, wheat, horticulture and livestock. However, he emphasised that the real opportunity for the youth lies not merely in cultivation, but in transformation.
“The future is in agro-processing, packaging, branding, logistics and export marketing, as value chains create multiple entry points for young entrepreneurs,” he said.
He noted that every stage between the farm and the final consumer represents a viable business opportunity.
“Agriculture must no longer be viewed as subsistence; it must be embraced as agribusiness. That is where scale, profitability and sustainability lie,” the Minister added.
Turning to the mining sector, Minister Ndhlovu highlighted substantial growth, particularly in lithium, gold and platinum.
He said new investments and expansion projects are positioning Zimbabwe as a strategic mineral hub on the continent and beyond.
He underscored Government’s firm policy shift away from exporting raw minerals, referencing a recent directive that lithium concentrates and certain other minerals will no longer be exported in raw form, including consignments already in transit. The move, he said, decisively places Zimbabwe on the path of value addition and beneficiation within its own borders.
“Indeed, this bold policy stance has reverberated across global markets, influencing lithium pricing dynamics, given that Zimbabwe is Africa’s leading lithium producer. More importantly, it has unlocked new Foreign Direct Investment interest specifically targeted towards local processing and beneficiation. This means opportunities in processing plants, engineering services, equipment supply, PPE manufacturing, explosives supply chains, as well as food and service provision to mining communities,” he said.
Minister Ndhlovu challenged young people not to remain passive observers as opportunities unfold.
“Young people must step onto the field of play. They must build enterprises that service these industries and participate in national development because, as His Excellency the President rightly says, ‘Brick by brick, nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.’ Zimbabwe is open for business, and this is not merely a slogan. It is a policy position that is being actively implemented. We are a nation that is a friend to all and an enemy to none,” he said.
The Minister clarified that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has increasingly targeted mineral extraction, processing facilities, industrial parks and infrastructure development. However, he stressed that FDI is intended to partner with Zimbabweans, not replace them.
“Every large mining or industrial investment opens both downstream and upstream supply chain opportunities. The critical question is: are our young people positioning themselves strategically to supply these industries? If a mining company requires security services, cleaning services, catering, protective clothing or mechanical spares, these opportunities must be captured by our young people,” he said.
Minister Ndhlovu further highlighted Rural Industrialisation as one of Government’s key strategic pillars.
“We are deliberately transforming rural communities into productive economic hubs through the establishment of agro-processing hubs, Village Business Units, rural industrial clusters and Community Economic Empowerment Trusts (CEETs). The ‘One District, One Trust’ model ensures that every district becomes a viable and productive economic unit.
This decentralisation of industry means that opportunity is no longer confined to Harare or Bulawayo. It exists in your home districts. It exists in your rural communities. It exists where your families live.
“Youth must therefore take full advantage of SME financing facilities, innovation hubs, industrial parks, credit guarantee schemes and skills development programmes. Economic empowerment is no longer theoretical. It is no longer a concept confined to policy documents. It is now operational, measurable and an accomplishment to be acknowledged under the Second Republic,” he said.
The Minister also revealed that Government has adopted a robust Local Content and Local Procurement Strategy (2026–2035), describing it as part of Zimbabwe’s broader industrial resurgence.
“This industrial reincarnation sends a powerful message to the youth that Zimbabwe’s economy is not collapsing — it is restructuring. Restructuring creates opportunity. A business idea without initiative is a dream deferred.
“Vision 2030 seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an Upper Middle-Income Society. But that vision cannot be realised by Government alone. No inclusive growth model can succeed if young entrepreneurs remain hesitant. No prosperous society can emerge if innovation remains confined to notebooks. No nation achieves upper-middle-income status when its youth are spectators instead of industrial participants.
“Our journey to Vision 2030 requires active participation, courage to innovate, discipline to formalise enterprises, strategic positioning within value chains and strong partnerships with industry,” Minister Ndlovu said.
The post Embrace opportunities in value addition and beneficiation, youths urged appeared first on herald.
The post Embrace opportunities in value addition and beneficiation, youths urged appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.