Zimpapers Logo

Busisa Moyo

Prosper Ndlovu Business Editor
UNITED Refineries Limited (URL) chief executive officer, Busisa Moyo is the new president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), taking over from Charles Msipa.

He assumes the reins of the dominant industrial body at a time when the country is grappling with finding lasting solutions to steer vibrant economic growth in a tight liquidity environment.

Moyo was elected on Thursday along with deputies, Sifelani Jabangwe and Tracy Mutaviri, at the CZI annual general meeting in Harare.

Economic analysts have hailed Moyo’s ascendancy and expressed confidence in him given his exemplary leadership in the revival of the Bulawayo based agro-processing giant, URL.

“Busisa is young and he’s already running a successful business, URL. I’m sure he will want to address issues of domestic industrial competitiveness and getting industry back on its feet,” said Dumisani Sibanda, a local businessman.

“Moyo sits on the Zimtrade board and he understands the need to boost exports because the local market isn’t the main driver of economic growth.”

Bulawayo based economic analyst, Morris Mpala said Moyo’s victory was very crucial for the revival of industries in Matabeleland region, Bulawayo in particular.

“For the region, this is a clear indication of a vote of confidence on Bulawayo and its talented leadership. Moyo leads URL, which is one of the few performing firms in the city,” said Mpala.

“He’s a good example to other businesses, others should emulate and support him. He has shown that it can be done through the way he leads URL. This is the time for Bulawayo to lead. CZI encompasses major industries in this country and Moyo’s leadership should spur growth. We expect him to start mentorship programmes with business executives.”

Affirmative Action Group (AAG) deputy president Sam Ncube also said Moyo was a capable leader.

“Busisa is one of the people we’re quite happy with. He has proved beyond any doubt that he’s able to revive industries through URL, which is a growing company in the country,” said Ncube.

“He has got the vision about what he wants to achieve. He’s not just a mickey-mouse chap but a serious figure. Through URL, he has demonstrated that imports can be substituted with local products.

“We expect him to assist the government with input into how we can tackle imports as a country.”

Soon after his election, Moyo told our Harare Bureau that the federation would continue to lobby the government for a conducive environment for business to grow, particularly the cost of doing business.

“The operating environment for business in terms of cost and how easy it is to do business in Zimbabwe remains a big concern to players.

“Opening a factory, there’re a myriad of permits and processes that one has to go through. We think that should be made easier so that we allow new business to come up,” said Moyo.

CZI is lobbying the government to scrap certain permits and licences required before setting up shop.

Moyo said there was a need to protect existing businesses, which have withstood the test of time and facilitate new investment.

Prior to his election, Moyo was CZI Matabeleland Chapter president while Jabangwe was Mashonaland Chapter president.