HARARE – Zimbabwe is targeting a major shift in its export structure, aiming to nearly double manufactured exports to US$1 billion annually by 2030 as the government intensifies efforts to build a more industrialised, value-added and export-driven economy.
According to State media, the ambitious target marks a central pillar of the country’s long-term economic strategy under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which seek to reduce dependence on raw commodity exports and strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity.
According to data from ZimTrade, manufactured exports reached approximately US$584.8 million in 2025. The export basket includes iron and steel products, tobacco derivatives, clothing and textiles, as well as industrial chemicals.
Government officials say the objective is not only to expand export volumes but also to reposition Zimbabwe as a competitive manufacturing hub within regional and global value chains.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ambassador Tadeous Chifamba, said the strategy is anchored on structural transformation of the economy from primary production to industrial output.
“Our target is bold, but in time it will be reached. We expect to scale up manufactured exports to achieve the benchmark contribution of at least US$1 billion annually by 2030,” he said.
Ambassador Chifamba said Zimbabwe can no longer rely on commodity exports, arguing that long-term growth depends on increasing the production of finished goods and integrating into higher-value global supply chains.
“We cannot remain an economy that predominantly exports raw materials,” he said. “We must fundamentally transition from a commodity-based economy into a high-value, innovation and knowledge-driven economy powered by intense industrial investment.”
The export expansion strategy forms part of broader efforts to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) to at least 25% by 2030, up from about 16% currently.
To support this transition, government is preparing to roll out the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy 2 (ZNIDP 2), which will prioritise increased production capacity, improved competitiveness, modernisation of industrial equipment and stronger export performance.
Officials say the policy will also address long-standing structural bottlenecks in the manufacturing sector, including high production costs, inconsistent power supply, ageing machinery and logistical inefficiencies that have constrained output and competitiveness.
Ambassador Chifamba said government is also pushing an aggressive value-addition agenda across strategic sectors such as iron and steel, leather, sugar and agro-processing, with a clear policy shift away from exporting raw and semi-processed commodities.
“The Ministry is heading a massive structural shift built upon value addition and energy sharing, moving production systems away from primary raw extraction and up the value-added inputs of this sector,” he said.
The policy direction is closely aligned with Zimbabwe’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area, which presents expanded market opportunities for locally manufactured goods across the continent.
At present, Zimbabwe’s export profile remains heavily skewed towards primary commodities, particularly minerals and agricultural produce, leaving the economy vulnerable to global price volatility and external demand shocks.
Government argues that strengthening domestic manufacturing will not only stabilise export earnings but also generate employment, attract investment and improve foreign currency inflows.
Industry stakeholders have broadly welcomed the policy direction, although they stress that execution will be critical.
Chief executive officer of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), Sekai Kuvarika, said Zimbabwe’s industrial strategy must evolve beyond competitiveness towards deeper industrial upgrading and export leadership in selected sectors.
“Our industrialisation strategy is built around three stages: improving competitiveness, upgrading industry and achieving leadership in selected export markets,” she said.
She added that stronger public-private collaboration will be essential in translating policy frameworks into measurable industrial outcomes, pointing to successful models in other African economies.
Experts say Zimbabwe’s success in reaching the US$1 billion manufactured export target will depend on sustained investment in energy, transport infrastructure, industrial finance, and technology upgrading, alongside consistent policy implementation.
As global trade dynamics shift and regional integration under AfCFTA deepens, Zimbabwe’s industrial strategy is increasingly framed as a race to move up the value chain — from exporting raw materials to competing as a producer of finished, higher-value goods in regional and global markets.
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