Buy Zimbabwe Chairman Munyaradzi Hwengwere has emphasized the critical need for effective implementation of local content regulations to support Vision 2030. Despite existing policies that favor local entities in procurement, issues persist, with many goods sourced from abroad but labeled as local.
Speaking at the recent Buy Zimbabwe Public Procurement Conference, Hwengwere highlighted the discrepancy in local content regulations, noting that products imported from countries like China can still be considered local if registered in Zimbabwe. This loophole undermines the spirit of the local preference policy and calls into question the efficacy of current measures in truly supporting local industries.
“While local preference is mandated, the reality is different. We must focus on genuine local content, not just registration,” said Hwengwere. He called for actionable steps to align with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which aims to elevate Zimbabwe to upper-middle-income status by 2030.
The Buy Zimbabwe Chairman questioned whether the current trajectory would meet Vision 2030’s goals or merely touch its lower bounds. He emphasized the need for concerted efforts to enhance local content and industrial capacity, urging the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry, and other supporting ministries to take concrete actions.
One of the key actions highlighted is strengthening the local value chain.
Hwengwere pointed to the example of Bata Shoe Company, which once employed over 5,000 workers at its peak but now employs significantly fewer. He stressed that robust local procurement policies could help revive such companies and restore jobs.
“Local procurement will help bring back those jobs. We need to build the local value chain to support industries like Bata and others,” Hwengwere stated.
He called for a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders, including government ministries and the private sector, to ensure that local content regulations are not just on paper but are effectively implemented to drive economic growth and job creation.
Hwengwere’s remarks resonate with broader concerns about the practicalities of achieving Vision 2030. The focus is now on what tangible actions can be taken to ensure Zimbabwe not only meets but exceeds its development goals, fostering a thriving economy rooted in genuine local content and production.
