Manhize rakes in US$100m in sales

The Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco) in Manhize, Midlands Province, generated nearly US$100 million in steel sales during the first half of the year, significantly reducing the country’s reliance on imports and delivering broad economic benefits across the value chain.

Implemented on record time since the ground-breaking ceremony led by President Mnangagwa in 2022, the giant Manhize steel plant is one of the signature projects facilitated by the Second Republic and a shining example of the fulfilment of the philosophy “Zimbabwe Is Open for Business.”

The project is already producing 600 000 tonnes of steel products per annum, including pig iron, billets and rebars, which are being supplied to the local, regional and international construction and manufacturing sectors.

Dinson group’s chief executive officer, Mr Benson Xu, said they have been working tirelessly to ensure the company produces quality steel and related products to satisfy the local market, as well as meet the regional and international market needs.

He was briefing the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, who led a team of journalists at the Manhize steel plant for a tour to appreciate the level of production at the company.

**Dr Jenfan Muswere being shown steel bars by Dinson Group chief executive officer Mr Benson Xu**

“We had a ground-breaking ceremony in October 2022, led by His Excellency President Mnangagwa.

“Our team has been working tirelessly, and in June 2024, we achieved our first production of steel billets. In the first half of the year, we made US$100 million in sales, saving the country revenue on steel imports,” he said.

Mr Benson said the giant steel factory was proud to contribute to the country’s economic growth, and pledged to do many more going forward, including tapping collaborative partnerships with other industrialists.

As Zimbabwe scales up efforts to drive robust re-industrialisation in line with the targets set out under Vision 2030, the Manhize steel plant is expected to play a significant role in job creation as well as import substitution.

The locally produced steel is already being supplied to key infrastructure projects such as the massive Lake Gwayi-Shangani in Matabeleland North, among other construction projects.

Given its strategic location and abundant natural resource base, economic analysts have said Zimbabwe is poised to become a major player in the global steel industry, with the plant’s success serving as a testament to the

Government’s efforts to create a favourable business environment, attract investors and drive economic growth.

“We are planning to diversify and work on import substitution, collaborating with other industrialists in the zone,” said Mr Benson.

“We have created a platform for other sectors to come and work with us, and we believe that by working together, we can all contribute to the growth of the economy. We need more co-operation and transparency.”

The Dinson executive said the Manhize project belongs to the people of Zimbabwe, who should be proud and

appreciate it as a fruit of the strong ties between Zimbabwe and China.
“We have delivered the project with the support of the Government, and we commend President Mnangagwa and his administration for giving us the opportunity to invest in the country,” said Mr Benson.

“We are open to the public and strive for transparency. Zimbabwe and China are one family, and we are grateful for the support. We are working in line with Vision 2030, and the vision is achievable when we work together to realise industrialisation by 2030,” he said.

The Manhize Steel Plant is one of the Tsingshan Group of China’s mining projects in Zimbabwe. The investor poured in over US$1,5 billion into the plant and is one of the biggest investors with various other projects, such as Afrochine Smelting (Pvt) Ltd in Selous, Mashonaland West, which is into chrome smelting and Dinson Colliery (Pvt) Ltd in Hwange, Matabeleland North, which is into coke production.

The projects are interlinked as both ferrochrome and coke are required in steel production.

Mr Xinju Wang, vice chairperson of the Chinese Business Association, weighed in and commended the Second Republic for creating an investment environment that is conducive to business.

“What we are witnessing here is magnificent. From the time when they had a ground bearing when the whole area was all bushy, President Mnangagwa came and when some Government officials kept coming every time, they would see massive changes,” he said.

“It has been a short period, but we have witnessed a massive transformation of the area and we are grateful to the Government.”

Mr Xinju said from the association’s perspective, they were happy to see the China-Zimbabwe relations bearing such fruits.

“So, representing the business association, this development has given much confidence to other Chinese business people to come and invest in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“Dinson activities have contributed to the economic development and we hope the investment impacts globally to have revenue that is impactful to Zimbabwe.”