Online Reporter
Tapiwanashe Mangwiro
THE National Development Strategy 2, 2026 to 2030, wields significant potential to transform Zimbabwe’s industrial landscape through mandatory local content thresholds and a strong ‘Buy Zimbabwe’ thrust, industrialists say.
The policy is expected to increase domestic raw material utilisation and strengthen interindustry linkages.
According to the NDS2 blueprint, the Government will “Operationalise the Local Content Strategy” by enforcing mandatory local content thresholds for strategic sectors, specifying requirements for the use of local raw materials.
The policy seeks to expand the uptake of locally sourced goods and services to support local manufacturers and the growth of domestic enterprises in general.
Central to this strategy is the Government’s use of public procurement to stimulate industrialisation.
“Government will strategically leverage public procurement to facilitate industrialisation of key value chains and create jobs,” the document reads.
The framework will require that a defined proportion of purchases by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) come from certified local manufacturers.
For instance, local procurement of uniforms for the uniformed forces and students will support the cotton-to-clothing value chain, while sourcing boots and leather accessories locally will strengthen the leather industry.
Dr Nxaba Ndiweni, a renowned industrialist, welcomed the move, noting that linking Government procurement to local production is a potential game-changer.
“It guarantees demand for locally made goods, encourages investment and safeguards jobs along critical value chains such as textiles, leather, and furniture,” he said.
NDS2 will also introduce a system of smart incentives and disincentives to drive compliance. Firms meeting local content thresholds will enjoy preferential access to Government contracts and fiscal benefits, while non-compliant suppliers may face restrictions.
Additionally, a digital local content platform will allow companies to register their production processes for official rating and certification, creating a transparent database to guide both public and private procurement decisions.
“This platform is crucial,” Dr Ndiweni added. “It gives manufacturers clear recognition, helps build trust with buyers and ensures that domestic products can compete effectively against imports.”
Recognising that local content alone is not enough, NDS2 emphasises quality assurance to ensure competitiveness.
The strategy commits to strengthening quality control, product certification and standards enforcement in collaboration with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe, ensuring that locally produced materials meet national and regional specifications.
Dr Ndiweni highlighted the importance of this approach: “Local content initiatives must go hand-in-hand with quality. Zimbabwean products should meet or exceed international standards, ensuring they are competitive both domestically and across the region.”
The overall objective of NDS2 is clear: to stimulate demand for domestically produced products, support enterprise growth, create decent jobs and move the economy up the value chain towards inclusive and sustainable industrialisation.
Through strategically harnessing public procurement, enforcing local content thresholds and ensuring product quality, the Government aims to build a resilient industrial sector capable of driving economic growth and job creation.
Dr Ndiweni concluded, “This is an opportunity for Zimbabwe to industrialise responsibly, promote home-grown businesses, and ensure that public spending contributes directly to economic development.”
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