The long-running debate over low local content in Zimbabwe’s mining sector has resurfaced sharply, after the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce warned that mining companies continue to prioritize imports over locally manufactured goods — a pattern lawmakers say is stifling domestic industrial growth and undermining national economic goals.
Speaking at a mining industry forum this week, Legislator Clemence Chiduwa criticised mining firms for failing to support local producers despite the significant investments manufacturers have made to upgrade equipment, improve quality and expand production capacity. He said recent oversight visits revealed that many Zimbabwean companies are capable of supplying mines, yet they are being sidelined in favour of foreign suppliers.
Chiduwa cited a company producing safety shoes which are successfully being exported to Zambia but receiving little to no support from local mines. “I asked them how much they were selling locally, and they said mining companies are not buying from us,” he said. He added that textile giant David Whitehead, which recently invested US$35 million in modern spinning and weaving equipment, is facing the same challenge. “I asked if they were selling locally. They said most of these mining companies are importing their materials from China. So, you will see that in as much as we want this country to develop, we have this penchant for imports — and this is what we need to address.”
Chiduwa’s concerns mirror findings from the 2025 State of the Mining Industry Survey, which shows that government and industry stakeholders believe local content levels remain low despite the existence of a national local content strategy. According to the survey, domestic suppliers continue to face multiple obstacles when servicing the mining sector. Local companies report that mines often prefer imported products, take too long to settle payments, and maintain inconsistent procurement patterns that make it difficult for manufacturers to maintain adequate stock. Many also say the cost of carrying inventory for unpredictable orders remains a major burden.
Mining companies, however, argue that they are actively pursuing localisation. They reported to the survey that they have local procurement policies, supplier development initiatives, enterprise incubation programmes, and off-take agreements aimed at strengthening partnerships with domestic producers. Several mining executives said they have been working with local transporters, sourcing raw materials from SMEs, providing capital support to emerging enterprises, and forming development partnerships with small-scale miners. On employment, mining firms indicated that they overwhelmingly hire Zimbabweans, with locals making up 95 percent of the industry’s workforce.
Despite these efforts, the gap between policy and practice appears wide. Local manufacturers say mines often overlook them in favour of foreign alternatives, even when domestic products meet quality standards and competitive pricing. Chiduwa said this disconnect is slowing industrialisation and preventing Zimbabwe from building a strong, competitive manufacturing sector capable of supplying the country’s largest and most resource-intensive industry.
He urged mining companies to align their procurement behaviour with national objectives. “With forums like this, we should be able to come up with solutions that will move this country forward,” he said, emphasising that collaboration between mines and manufacturers is critical.
Industry analysts say meaningful progress on local content will require firmer enforcement of procurement commitments, improved coordination between mines and factories, and long-term support to ensure local enterprises can reliably meet supply requirements. They warn that Zimbabwe will struggle to build a robust industrial base unless mining companies fully embrace local procurement as an economic and developmental imperative.
As the conversation intensifies, the mining sector — which anchors Zimbabwe’s export earnings — faces growing pressure to demonstrate that it is not only extracting value from the country but also reinvesting in local industry and contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable industrial economy.
