Zimbabwe’s drive to move beyond raw mineral exports and into value-added production is beginning to take tangible shape, as Dinson Iron and Steel Company ramps up output at its Manhize plant and expands into regional export markets.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair 2026, the company’s Projects Director, Wilfred Motsi, said the operation is now producing a range of finished and semi-finished steel products at scale — including pig iron, billets, reinforcing bars and hot-rolled wire rods — signaling a shift toward industrial processing of locally sourced minerals.
“For a company which is in steel production, we are producing what are called pig iron, steel billets, bars and wire rods at present moment,” Motsi said. “So we are exporting our product and also supplying local.”
The Manhize plant, one of the largest steel investments in southern Africa, has reached an annual production capacity of approximately 600,000 metric tonnes, according to company officials. That level of output, Motsi said, is sufficient to meet a significant portion of domestic demand while positioning Zimbabwe as a competitive supplier within the region.
Exports are already flowing into neighboring markets such as South Africa and Zambia, while local uptake remains strong, particularly in the construction sector where demand for steel products has been steadily rising.
The development aligns with the government’s broader economic strategy, which emphasizes beneficiation — the processing of raw materials into higher-value goods — as a pathway to industrialization and economic resilience. By retaining more stages of production within its borders, Zimbabwe aims to capture greater value from its mineral wealth and reduce dependence on commodity exports.
Dinson’s operations in Manhize are increasingly being cited by policymakers and industry observers as a test case for that vision. If sustained, analysts say, the project could help anchor downstream industries, stimulate job creation and strengthen regional trade links, marking a potential turning point in how Zimbabwe leverages its vast mineral resources.
