Zimbabwe is seeking to strengthen its industrial competitiveness and expand export opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area through closer collaboration with the World Bank, as authorities intensify efforts to accelerate industrialisation, value addition and private sector growth.

The agenda was discussed during a meeting between Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ambassador Thomas Tawanda Chifamba, and a World Bank delegation led by Country Manager Eneida Fernandes.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the engagement focused on measures aimed at improving Zimbabwe's industrial performance and export capacity.

“Today, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Amb. T.T. Chifamba, received a courtesy call from the World Bank Group delegation led by Country Manager Eneida Fernandes.”

The ministry said discussions centred on key areas considered critical to the country's industrial transformation agenda.

“Discussions focused on enhancing export competitiveness, leveraging opportunities under the AfCFTA, promoting local content and value addition, improving the business environment and strengthening linkages between industry, agriculture and mining.”

The meeting comes at a time when Zimbabwe is placing renewed emphasis on industrialisation as a driver of economic growth, job creation and export diversification.

Recent findings from the African Development Bank's Africa Industrialisation Index showed that manufacturing's contribution to Zimbabwe's GDP increased from 9.2 percent in 2010 to 15.5 percent in 2024, while manufacturing value added per capita rose from US$83 to nearly US$400 over the same period. However, the report also highlighted the country's continued dependence on basic metals, which account for more than 92 percent of manufactured exports, underscoring the need for greater diversification into higher-value manufacturing sectors.

The emphasis on local content and value addition aligns with government efforts to ensure that Zimbabwe derives greater benefits from its natural resource base by promoting domestic processing and manufacturing.

Policymakers have increasingly argued that stronger linkages between mining, agriculture and industry are essential for building resilient value chains and reducing dependence on imported finished products.

AfCFTA has emerged as another major opportunity for Zimbabwe's industrial ambitions. The continental trade agreement creates access to a market of more than 1.4 billion people and is expected to boost intra-African trade by reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers. For Zimbabwe, this presents opportunities for manufacturers to expand into regional markets while attracting investment into export-oriented industries.

The ministry said the engagement reflects a common objective of supporting long-term industrial development.

“The engagement underscores a shared commitment to fostering sustainable industrial growth, unlocking investment opportunities, and creating a more competitive economy that delivers tangible benefits for businesses and citizens alike.”

However, improving industrial competitiveness will require continued reforms to the business environment, increased investment in infrastructure, enhanced access to finance, technological upgrading and stronger integration of local firms into regional and global value chains.