President Mnangagwa pushes local beneficiation to boost industrialisation

President Emmerson Mnangagwa

BULAWAYO — President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Friday that Zimbabwe will move beyond supplying raw minerals and accelerate local beneficiation and processing to spur industrialisation and economic growth. Speaking at an annual exporters’ conference in Bulawayo, the President urged exporters to develop value‑added products and build global brands rooted in Zimbabwe’s natural resources and skills base.

Policy shift: from raw exports to value‑added production

“In the mining sector, our policy is unequivocal,” President Mnangagwa told delegates.

“Zimbabwe is no longer satisfied with being a supplier of raw minerals. Under my administration, focus is on local processing, diversifying downstream industries, technology transfer and stronger linkages across the economy.” 

He said the government’s thrust is to strengthen an export‑led growth model by increasing processed exports and integrating more Zimbabwean firms into global value chains.

Strategic priorities for exporters

The President urged exporters to scale up production and transform local products into internationally recognised brands. He emphasised that export growth should leverage the country’s endowments, including gold, platinum group metals, lithium, and chrome, while building skills, adopting new technologies, and encouraging private‑sector investment in downstream industries.

“Zimbabwe must, therefore, continue to grow by producing and processing more, toward increased export volumes,” President Mnangagwa said, calling for stronger public‑private collaboration to expand the industrial base and attract technology transfer.

Economic rationale and expected outcomes

Officials argue that local beneficiation will capture greater value from mineral wealth, create jobs, broaden the manufacturing base, and reduce vulnerability to commodity price swings. By processing minerals domestically and developing downstream industries, Zimbabwe aims to increase export earnings, stimulate investment in manufacturing, and generate higher‑skilled employment.

The President framed the policy as part of a broader strategy to diversify the economy, deepen industrial linkages, and position Zimbabwean firms for entry into regional and global markets.

Implementation challenges and next steps

Achieving large‑scale beneficiation will require investment in processing facilities, reliable energy supply, skills development, regulatory clarity, and incentives that attract private and foreign capital. Stakeholders at the conference discussed measures to improve export competitiveness, including logistics, quality standards, access to finance, and targeted industrial policy to support value‑chain development.

Mnangagwa’s remarks signal a renewed push by the government to prioritise downstream industrial projects and to align mining policy with national industrialisation objectives.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa local beneficiation 2026