Trust Freddy
Business Correspondent
DINSON Iron and Steel Company (Pvt) Ltd emerged as the biggest winner at the ZimTrade Exporter of the Year Awards 2025, securing three accolades in a performance that highlights the growing role of steel manufacturing in Zimbabwe’s export diversification and industrialisation drive.
The company scooped the Overall Exporter of the Year and Intra-Africa Exporter of the Year awards, while also claiming the Engineering Sector prize ahead of runner-up Treger Products (Pvt) Ltd (Monarch Steel Division).
The recognition is significant for Zimbabwe’s efforts to develop a stronger domestic steel industry, add value to its mineral resources and expand exports of manufactured products.
Dinson’s integrated steel plant at Manhize represents a major investment in this drive. Government’s National Development Strategy 2 identifies the project as a landmark investment in the country’s mining value-addition programme, with an installed capacity of 600 000 tonnes of carbon steel annually.
Receiving the awards on behalf of the company, DISCO Steel ESG Manager Pela Mutunzi said the recognition reflected the hard work invested in establishing the business and aligning its operations with the country’s development ambitions.
“We are very excited as a company because there is so much hard work that we have put into establishing the company and also ensuring that it follows in line with the vision of the country,” she said.
The awards recognised achievements across several industries, highlighting the diversity of Zimbabwean businesses competing in export markets.
In the agricultural and primary produce categories, Bishopstone Estates won the Fresh Produce award ahead of Nottingham Estates (Pvt) Ltd, while Seed Co Zimbabwe claimed the Agricultural Inputs prize ahead of the Tobacco Research Board.
Zimbabwe Sugar Sales won the Processed Foods category, beating Dairibord Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd, while Zimplow Holdings Limited, trading as Mealie Brand, took the Agricultural Implements award ahead of Proplastics Limited.
The manufacturing, construction and consumer goods sectors also recorded notable successes.
Zambezi Tanners (Pvt) Ltd won the Leather, Leather Products & Footwear category ahead of The Zimbabwe Bata Shoe Company, while Sunny Yi Feng Tiles (Zimbabwe) (Pvt) Ltd claimed the Building & Construction award ahead of Manica Boards and Doors (Pvt) Ltd.
Zimbabwe Flower Exports (Pvt) Ltd won the Floriculture category ahead of ZimFlora (Pvt) Ltd, while Treger Products (Pvt) Ltd (Kango Products Division) took the Household & Electrical award, with BICC (Central Africa) (Pvt) Ltd, trading as CAFCA, finishing as runner-up.
ZimTrade also inducted six established exporters into its Hall of Fame in recognition of their sustained contribution to exports.
The inductees were Zimbabwe Spinners & Weavers (Pvt) Ltd (Textiles), Paramount Exports (Pvt) Ltd (Clothing), Varichem Pharmaceuticals (Pharmaceuticals), Padenga Holdings Limited (Hides & Skins), Hunyani Paper & Packaging (Pvt) Ltd (Packaging) and J.W. Wilson International (Pvt) Ltd (Furniture).
Kuminda Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd won the SME Exporter of the Year award, highlighting the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises to Zimbabwe’s export development.
