US$40 Million Cheetos Manufacturing Plant Opens In Zimbabwe As Varun Beverages Expands Investment

A new US$40 million Cheetos manufacturing plant, together with a juice and dairy blending facility, has officially opened in Zimbabwe, in a move authorities say strengthens the country’s industrialisation and manufacturing ambitions. The project was launched by Emmerson Mnangagwa and developed by Varun Beverages, one of the largest beverage bottling companies operating in Africa and Asia.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Mnangagwa described the investment as a sign of growing investor confidence in Zimbabwe’s economy.

“The added US$20 million investment by Varun Beverages marks industrial diversification, creation of employment opportunities for our people and manufacturing sector integration into both regional and global value chains,” Mnangagwa said.

Authorities say the new snack manufacturing facility and beverage blending plant form part of Zimbabwe’s broader industrialisation strategy under Vision 2030.

According to company officials, Varun Beverages has expanded significantly since entering the Zimbabwean market around eight years ago. President Mnangagwa said the company initially operated a single production line producing approximately 10 million bottles monthly, but has now grown to six production lines with capacity reaching nearly 120 million bottles per month. The expansion has reportedly created around 2,000 direct jobs and an estimated 13,000 indirect employment opportunities across sectors, including:

• Transport and logistics

• Retail and distribution

• Agriculture supply chains

• Informal trading networks

Ravi Jaipuria also announced an ambitious US$650 million investment programme planned over the next five years. The investments are expected to target:

• Renewable energy projects

• Recycling infrastructure

• Beverage and brewing operations

• Manufacturing expansion

Jaipuria revealed that construction of a 130-megawatt green energy project in Matobo has already begun, with projected costs estimated between US$300 million and US$350 million.

“We are putting up a recyclable PET plant. After putting that plant, imports will reduce substantially, and we will be exporting to other countries from here,” Jaipuria said.

Nqobizitha Ndlovu said the new manufacturing facilities are expected to strengthen local agricultural value chains by increasing demand for raw materials sourced from Zimbabwean farmers. The upcoming juice and dairy blending plant is expected to create additional opportunities for:

• Dairy farmers

• Fruit growers

• Packaging suppliers

• Rural transport operators

Government officials say the facilities will also help reduce imports while boosting export potential into regional markets.

Company executives say strong demand for locally manufactured Cheetos products has already demonstrated Zimbabwe’s potential to become a regional manufacturing and processing hub. Economic analysts say the investment comes at a time when Zimbabwe is seeking to revive domestic manufacturing capacity, attract foreign direct investment, and reduce reliance on imports. The project is also expected to support wider industrial integration into regional and international supply chains.

Cheetos plant Zimbabwe