Online Reporter
Business Reporter
Zimbabwe’s manufacturing industry giants have forged a united front in support of a forthcoming public lecture to explore ways to eradicate the growing influx of counterfeit, expired and substandard goods.
Industry leaders warn that the illicit products are not only sabotaging efforts to reestablish domestic industrial capacity but also pose a direct and dangerous threat to public health.
The event, organised by the Zimpapers Business Hub in partnership with the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), is scheduled for February 26, 2026.
Running under the thematic banner, “The Scourge of Counterfeit Products: Protecting Industry Integrity and Consumer Safety”, the public lecture is a call to action for the private sector to align with national goals under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
The manufacturing sector’s commitment is headlined by a coalition of industrial titans, including, National Foods the Gold Sponsor of the event, alongside other major corporate partners, Dairibord Zimbabwe Limited, Afdis, Seed Co, Varichem, Eversharp, Greenwood Pharmacies and Ganzim.
These organisations represent the very fabric of the Zimbabwean manufacturing landscape. National Foods is responsible for a vast array of household essentials, ranging from cereals, biscuits and pasta to staples like mealie meal, Mahatma Rice, Mr Rice and sugar beans, as well as critical stockfeeds for the agricultural sector.
Similarly, Dairibord Zimbabwe stands as a pillar of the food and beverage industry, producing an extensive portfolio of foods and liquids that include fresh and sterilised milk, traditional beverages, yoghurts, and ice creams. Afdis anchors the group as the nation’s primary manufacturer of local spirits and wines.
The public lecture was motivated by a need to protect the consumer from the hidden dangers of the “grey market.”
National Foods said the company is supporting this counterfeit prevention workshop to safeguard industry integrity, protect consumer safety, and ensure that authentic, quality products remain the trusted choice in the market.
The food manufacturer further stated that supporting the event is essential to preserving the integrity of the food supply, which is fundamental to public health and safety.
It warned that counterfeits posed significant risks, leading to potential health hazards, economic loss for legitimate businesses, and lasting damage to established brands.
Dr Thomas Utete-Ushe, the permanent secretary for Industry and Commerce, will deliver the keynote address, providing essential high-level direction on the Government’s current regulatory blitz and the legislative frameworks being refined to protect the national fiscus and legitimate brands.
The programme is designed to be highly interactive, beginning with a keynote public lecture on Government initiatives and expectations for the private sector. This will be followed by an in-depth panel discussion to unpack the nuances of industrial policy.
The session will conclude with a stakeholder commitment forum where industry captains and trade bodies will proffer tangible solutions and commit to specific actions to sanitise the local market.
Beyond safety, the battle against counterfeits is an economic necessity, as the proliferation of substandard goods undermines the goals of the country’s industrialisation drive by diverting trade into informal, illicit channels that do not contribute to the national treasury.
By backing this initiative, Zimbabwe’s manufacturers are reclaiming their position in the market and ensuring that the country’s industrial base remains robust enough to compete within the 1,3 billion-person African Continental Free Trade Area single market.
As regional competition intensifies, the message from the country’s largest manufacturers is clear: empowering and protecting legitimate local industry is no longer optional, but is instead central to ensuring Zimbabwe secures its place in Africa’s evolving trade landscape.
