Zimbabwe manufacturing surges, tops GDP in 2025
Zimbabwe attracted more than 1.4 billion dollars in manufacturing investments through 2025 as the sector emerged as the largest contributor to economic output. The industry represented 15.3 percent of gross domestic product in 2024, surpassing mining and agriculture. Finance minister Mthuli Ncube said the expansion drives structural change and import replacement while creating employment as the nation pursues its 2030 development goals. Manufacturing accounts for 7 percent of formal jobs, representing about 3.2 million workers.
Factory production climbed from 46.6 percent in 2019 to 140.5 percent in 2024, marking cumulative growth exceeding 200 percent. Capacity utilization rose from 51 percent late in 2024 to approximately 57.3 percent currently. Pharmaceutical manufacturers increased from nine companies in 2020 to 14 in 2025, backed by 70 million dollars in new capital. Steel production reached 50,000 metric tonnes monthly while cement makers expanded operations through major plant investments across multiple provinces.
