Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
GOVERNMENT has applauded Ingwebu Breweries’ ambitious US$2,5 million investment into the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging plant in Bulawayo, describing it as a critical enabler in the city’s re-industrialisation drive given its ripple effects in stimulating growth across multiple value chains.
Owned by the Bulawayo Municipal Commercial Undertaking, Ingwebu’s investment is being hailed as a game-changer for the city’s economic ecosystem, ushering in a new era for both the iconic brewery and Zimbabwe’s beverage sector.
The state-of-the-art facility marks a strategic shift from traditional returnable containers to modern, recyclable PET bottles, thereby improving efficiency, sustainability and product accessibility.
The transition is already bearing fruit. The company has begun scaling up recruitment to meet anticipated demand under the new packaging regime.
Speaking after touring the plant yesterday, Special Advisor to the President responsible for Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes, Dr Jorum Gumbo, described the investment as a milestone aligned with the country’s broader re-industrialisation drive.
He said the new plant signifies a new era for Ingwebu Breweries and Zimbabwe’s beverage sector, reflecting a strategic leap forward from traditional packaging to modern, efficient and sustainable PET bottles.
Replicating this success nationwide will ensure no one and no place is left behind, said Dr Gumbo.
“This investment dovetails with the country’s industrialisation drive, which is central to the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) pillar of moving the economy up the value chain, driving modernisation, competitiveness and inclusive growth,” he said.
Dr Gumbo said the Second Republic recognises the private sector as a vital engine of economic transformation.
“Government support to the private sector is multi-faceted, with a top priority being the creation of a conducive and enabling environment that allows business to not only operate, but to thrive,” he added.
Noting the successful execution of the project — funded through a US$1,95 million loan facility from Ecobank Zimbabwe and ZB Bank, Dr Gumbo said the investment has been complemented by Ingwebu’s internal resources, and is a testament to effective public-private collaboration.
“This is a shining example of how financial institutions can fuel the country’s industrial transformation. The internal resources committed by Ingwebu also demonstrate commendable self-reliance and re-investment,” he said.
Delivered on time by South African firm, Filmatic Packaging Systems, the PET plant reflects Ingwebu’s bold leap into modern beverage packaging, an intervention that Dr Gumbo said is not only about technology but about unlocking downstream opportunities and creating jobs.
“Ingwebu’s PET plant is a beacon of employment creation, rural empowerment and industrial modernisation. It proves that when businesses, banks and Government align in pursuit of a shared vision, Zimbabwe’s industrialisation is unstoppable. Replicating this success nationwide will ensure no one and no place is left behind,” he said.
“This project is not only creating jobs and stimulating economic activity but also contributing to our nation’s development goals. As such I commend the private sector for their commitment to excellence and their role in driving our economy forward, brick by brick, stone upon stone.”
Dr Gumbo noted that monitoring such private sector developments is crucial particularly in assessing the responsiveness of Government policies and regulations towards establishing favourable business environment.
He said his office will continue to work closely with Ingwebu and private sector players to track progress, the impact of Government interventions and policy environment with respect to growth of industry in Bulawayo and across the country, stressing that the objective is to identify areas for improvement to inform decision making.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Bulawayo, Judith Ncube, also commended the investment, describing it as a positive step in the province’s economic recovery.
“As a province, we are pleased with the Ingwebu Breweries PET packaging plant because it has created more jobs and increased employment opportunities, contributing to the local economy and stimulating economic growth,” she said.
Minister Ncube, however, acknowledged the high capital demands of such projects, noting that support mechanisms remain essential.
“The capital intensity of such projects can place significant pressure on internal cash flows. That’s precisely why Government remains committed to providing robust support to key industrial transformation projects,” she said.
Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Bulawayo City Council and Ingwebu Breweries attended a private briefing before touring the facility.
The PET packaging line is a cornerstone of Ingwebu’s broader diversification strategy.
Known for its traditional opaque sorghum beer served in bulk clay pots and returnable containers, Ingwebu is now embracing lightweight, recyclable plastic bottles in response to evolving consumer tastes and heightened competition from regional and multinational brands.
The PET bottles, favoured for their portability, recyclability and cost-effectiveness, are expected to enhance Ingwebu’s environmental sustainability while positioning the brand to compete more aggressively in local and regional markets.
Managing director, Mr Dumisani Mhlanga, confirmed that the firm recently opened a depot in Harare to tap into growing demand.
“We have opened a depot in Harare due to high demand for our product. We have hired people, which also speaks to employment creation,” said Mr Mhlanga.
The Ingwebu PET plant stands as a shining example of how innovation, local investment and strategic partnerships can revitalise Zimbabwe’s manufacturing landscape.
