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Nokuthaba Brita Ncube, [email protected]

THE Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu, has commissioned the Local Content Steering Committee for the Zimbabwe manufacturing sector as part of the implementation of the Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan (ZIRGP) 2024-2025.

ZIRGP serves as a transitional framework for aligning industrial policy with National Development Strategy 2 (2026-2030), following the lapse of the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy: 2019-2023 in December last year.

In a post on X, the ministry highlighted the responsibilities of the steering committee as well as the targeted sectors.

“As part of the implementation of the Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan #ZIRGP 2024-2025, Hon Nqobizitha M Ndlovu this afternoon commissioned the Local Content Steering Committee for the Zimbabwe Manufacturing Sector at Mukwati Building,” reads the post.

According to the ministry, the steering committee consists of 16 members.

The ministry further noted that the committee is responsible for formulating, monitoring, implementing, reviewing and approving local content implementation plans; setting guidelines and minimum local content thresholds/ levels for the prioritized sectors.

In addition, the committee is responsible for proposing incentives and penalties for specific local content thresholds;  Recommending local content incentives and government interventions and/ or support measures;  Institutionalisation of Buy Zimbabwe.”

According to the ministry, the targeted sectors include pharmaceuticals, oil seeds, grains and cereals, dairy, clothing and textiles, leather and leather products, fertiliser and chemicals, rubber and articles thereof, soaps and detergents, articles of iron and steel, wood and timber, among others.

The ZIRGP emphasises a series of interventions to promote industrial growth, such as increasing local content, optimising value chains, and enhancing intermediate manufacturing.

The plan’s implementation is scheduled to run from last month to December 2025.