Online Reporter
Latwell Nyangu
GOVERNMENT has placed industrialisation, value addition, local content, investment and productive capacity at the centre of its economic development agenda, with the automotive industry in particular becoming a priority due to its extensive linkages with other sectors.
Speaking during the official launch and unveiling of a new bus designed and manufactured locally by AVM Africa (Pvt) Limited, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Ambassador Tadeous Chifamba said the launch demonstrates what Zimbabwean industry can achieve when local enterprise, skills, investment, technology, government support and market demand work together.
The bus was sold to Lupane-based St Paul’s Amandlethu AMR High School for US$140 000.
According to AVM Africa, the bus has 65 percent local parts and only 35 percent imported components.
“Currently, Government is implementing the National Development Strategy 2 (2026–2030) and the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy 2 (2026–2030) as key policy frameworks for accelerating industrialisation, promoting value addition and beneficiation, strengthening local production, and enhancing the competitiveness of Zimbabwean enterprises.
“These frameworks seek to transform Zimbabwe’s productive sectors by encouraging investment, expanding domestic value chains, increasing local content, creating employment, and promoting the production of goods for both domestic consumption and export markets.
“This unveiling represents more than the introduction of a new product. It represents the renewal of a manufacturing capability that has formed part of Zimbabwe’s industrial base for generations. It demonstrates that our existing industrial capacity can be revitalised, modernised and repositioned to meet domestic requirements while also competing in regional markets,” said Ambassador Chifamba.
He said Government has placed industrialisation and productive capacity at the centre of its economic development agenda.
“The automotive industry is particularly important because of its extensive linkages with other sectors, including steel, electrical components, plastics, rubber, glass, upholstery, batteries, engineering and other supporting industries.
“Government is also working with stakeholders to review the Motor Industry Development Policy for the 2026–2030 period, with a strong focus on creating an enabling environment for the revival and expansion of vehicle assembly and the manufacturing of automotive components.”
Ambassador Chifamba commended AVM Africa for its distinguished history in Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector.
“For more than six decades, the company has contributed to the manufacture of buses, truck bodies and other commercial vehicles for both the public and private sectors.
“I am encouraged that AVM Africa is sourcing several components locally, including seats, upholstery, steel, batteries, wiring and paint. This is precisely the type of industrial linkage Government seeks to promote.
“When we manufacture a bus locally, we are not merely producing a finished vehicle. We are creating demand for local suppliers, supporting jobs, developing skills, strengthening technological capabilities and retaining greater value within the Zimbabwean economy,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary said Government recognises that local manufacturing should be supported with practical mechanisms to unlock investment, finance, technology and markets.
“I am reliably informed that AVM Africa’s estimated investment of approximately US$17 million demonstrates the company’s commitment to the recovery and expansion of local automotive manufacturing.
“The company has also identified a further financing requirement of US$18 million to US$25 million for retooling, working capital, skills development and quality control to support sustainable industrial recovery and growth.
“Government takes note of these requirements and will continue engaging the private sector and relevant institutions to identify practical mechanisms for facilitating access to investment, finance, technology and markets.
“The August 2025 Memorandum of Understanding between AVM Africa and Dinson Industrial relating to the supply of SKD kits and the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle for the retooling of the Msasa facility and operations in the Manhize Special Economic Zone represents an opportunity to deepen industrial cooperation and value addition.
“Government welcomes partnerships that contribute meaningfully to technology transfer, local value addition, skills development, employment creation and export growth. Our ultimate objective is for the words ‘Made in Zimbabwe’ to be synonymous with quality, reliability and industrial capability,” Ambassador Chifamba said.
He emphasised that modern automotive manufacturing requires engineers, designers, mechanics, electricians, welders, machinists, ICT specialists, quality-control professionals and supply-chain experts, among others.
“As Government promotes local manufacturing, we must remain uncompromising on quality, safety and competitiveness.
“Local products must not depend indefinitely on protection. They must become competitive through productivity, innovation, quality, reliability, cost efficiency and effective after-sales support.
“I, therefore, encourage AVM Africa to continue investing in engineering capability, quality assurance, testing, product development and continuous improvement.”
Ambassador Chifamba also said Government was implementing measures, including PRAZ Circular OPS/1/2025, to strengthen local procurement where suitable products and services are available domestically.
“This is supported by the Local Content Strategy 2026–2035, which aims to increase the use of locally produced goods and services, strengthen domestic value chains and enhance local value addition.
“Together, these measures are intended to ensure that Government and private-sector procurement increasingly contribute to domestic industrial development, job creation, value addition, and the growth of competitive local enterprises.
“When institutions procure locally manufactured buses that meet the required standards, they create demand that enables manufacturers to increase production, invest in machinery, employ more people and develop local suppliers,” Ambassador Chifamba added.
Meanwhile, AVM Africa Managing Director Jacob Kupa called on local industry to support the manufacturing sector and reduce unnecessary import dependence.
“People have been importing buses, but it is now locally available, so there is no need for people to go out there to import.
“In order to be industrialised, we need to consume what we produce. Otherwise, we are not building anything meaningful.
“If people make margarine here, but you don’t buy it, what are we saying? We are killing the whole system.”
He added that the bus is locally produced.
“This bus is 65 percent local and only 35 percent is imported. It is a local bus, and 90 companies feed into the majority of this bus. It is now 91 within the zone.
“That means that if you don’t place local orders, you are not just starving AVM, but you are starving 91 companies. So, by not giving bus orders to AVM, we are also depriving those companies, which means we are de-industrialising. We are looking forward to support from all stakeholders, with Government being number one, through the purchase of vehicles.”
