Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Writer
THE manufacturing sector has sustained a strong growth trajectory, with latest official figures showing significant improvements across several key industries, driven by retooling, increased production capacities and a supportive policy environment.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) Volume of Manufacturing Index (VMI) for the third quarter of 2025, the overall index stood at 160,2, reflecting sustained expansion from the base period of 2022.
While this marks a marginal year-on-year decrease of 0,12 percent from the 160,4 recorded in the third quarter of 2024, the underlying data reveals robust growth in critical subsectors, signalling deepened industrial recovery and resilience.
The report highlights remarkable surges in production. The Clothing and Footwear index, for instance, reached 493,8 in the third quarter of 2025.
“This translates to a year-on-year percentage increase of 90,5 from 259,2 recorded in 3rd Quarter 2024,” reads the report.
Similarly, the Transport and Transport Equipment sub-sector saw its output index leap to 287,3, up from 110,3 in 3rd Quarter 2024, resulting in a year-on-year increase in the index of 160,5 percent.
The Food Stuffs sector also posted strong growth, with its index at 170,4, reflecting a 15,9 percent increase in production when compared to 147,0 for 3rd Quarter 2024.
Economic analysts have attributed this sustained performance to concerted efforts in retooling, capital investment, and an improved ease of doing business.
Economist and Bulawayo City Business Development Officer, Mr Kholisani Moyo, said the growth has been evident in the manufacturing city of Bulawayo.
“We have seen the results, which were posted by ZimStat with regards to the performance of our economy. One of the positives that we have also noted is the improvements in terms of numbers of the manufacturing sector contributing quite significantly to the economy,” he said.
“This is mainly attributed to maybe the Government policy, the NDS1. The country was following Vision 2030, which the President is pushing for this country. When you look at the NDS1, stability has been achieved through the policy direction taken. This has also assisted some companies in the manufacturing sector,” said Mr Moyo
He said in an economy like Bulawayo, they have seen improvements in the area of agro processing on the manufacturing sector.
“We have seen like the bakery industry some quite huge investments, companies investing in that area, in that sector and also agro processing. Those who are doing stock feed and others, the food industry in general, the manufacturing in the food industry.
“We have seen new products coming into the market and other new players coming in that direction. So, I am sure it is because of the stability that we have been experiencing over the past five years and it is now bearing some fruits in the economy, especially for Bulawayo,” he said.
Another economic analyst, Ms Linda Moyo, highlighted the role of Government interventions.
“The Second Republic’s focus on creating an enabling environment through policies that promote local sourcing, infrastructure development, and currency stability cannot be overstated,” she said.
“These measures have given manufacturers the confidence to retool and expand. The sharp rise in the production of transport equipment, for example, points to growing linkages with mining and agriculture, spurred by Government-led sectoral programmes.”
Companies like Baker’s Inn have expanded production lines, Treger have introduced new technologies, and firms like Edgars and Zimplow have reinvested in upgrading their machinery.
This has enhanced efficiency, product quality, and capacity utilisation across the value chain.
The ZimStat report also noted growth in Drinks, Beverages and Tobacco, with its index rising to 209,4, indicating a 3,2 percent year-on-year increase.
While some sectors like Textiles, Paper and Chemicals recorded declines, the overall manufacturing landscape shows a positive reorientation towards higher-value and consumer-driven production.
The Government’s commitment to industrialisation through the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) is seen as a central pillar of this recovery.
Initiatives aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, improving access to affordable financing for retooling, and supporting local value addition are yielding visible results on the factory floor.
