Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE is edging closer to becoming Southern Africa’s leading veterinary vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturing hub following the tabling of a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government and Belarusian veterinary biologics manufacturer BelAgroGen.
The proposed partnership, valued at approximately US$50 million, is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s livestock disease control systems while positioning the country as a regional supplier of veterinary vaccines and pharmaceuticals to the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The draft agreement, which was presented on Saturday and is now undergoing the necessary Government approval processes, is regarded as a major milestone in implementing the bilateral cooperation framework agreed upon by Zimbabwe and Belarus at presidential level in 2025.
The partnership brings together BelAgroGen and Zimbabwe’s Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), with the long-term objective of establishing a world-class veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in the country.
Speaking after the presentation of the draft agreement, BelAgroGen Vice President Mr Andrei Molchan said the project was aimed at creating a regional solution to livestock disease challenges.
“This is about Zimbabwe taking the lead in protecting the region’s livestock. We are talking about building something that serves all of Southern Africa — and building it here,” he said.
The proposed investment will be implemented in phases over the next three years.
The first phase will see BelAgroGen supplying its registered veterinary vaccines and pharmaceuticals to Zimbabwe, followed by the establishment of local processing and repackaging facilities before culminating in the construction of a jointly owned veterinary vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturing plant.
Once operational, the facility is expected to reduce Zimbabwe’s dependence on imported veterinary medicines while improving the availability of vaccines for controlling transboundary animal diseases that continue to threaten livestock production across Southern Africa.
The project is also expected to enhance Zimbabwe’s capacity to respond quickly to disease outbreaks while creating opportunities to export veterinary products to regional markets.
Beyond infrastructure development, the partnership places significant emphasis on skills development and technology transfer.
Zimbabwean students will benefit from scholarships to study in Belarus, while veterinarians, researchers and laboratory personnel will receive specialised training in vaccine development, biotechnology and veterinary medicine.
The two countries also intend to strengthen collaboration in scientific research, with the aim of developing a new generation of Zimbabwean scientists and technicians capable of managing and expanding a modern veterinary pharmaceutical industry.
The initiative is expected to contribute to improved livestock productivity, strengthen food security and support Zimbabwe’s broader industrialisation agenda by developing local manufacturing capacity in a strategic sector.
If successfully implemented, the project will not only enhance the country’s veterinary services but also establish Zimbabwe as a regional centre for animal health innovation and vaccine production, serving both domestic and export markets across SADC.
