Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure
Zimpapers Reporter
Nestlé Zimbabwe has invested US$7 million in its fourth Roller Dryer Cereal Plant, citing the positive impact of the Second Republic’s economic policies that encourage private sector participation.
Under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, the Government has introduced various sound economic policies aimed at attracting investment.
These include streamlining regulations, bolstering infrastructure, and fostering public-private partnerships, all designed to improve the ease of doing business and create a conducive environment for foreign direct investment (FDI).
A roller dryer is an industrial machine that uses heated rollers to dry materials by applying pressure and heat, making it essential in food processing.
This technology is used to dry a variety of substances, including liquid or paste-like materials, and is applicable in drying tuberous and bulbous crops.
At the commissioning of the new plant, Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu expressed Government’s commitment to fostering a favourable business environment.
“We hope that this new plant will contribute significantly to the company’s continued success and to the prosperity of our nation,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu acknowledged the ongoing challenges, such as smuggling and high business costs, saying this is the reason why Government introduced the Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan (ZIRGP 2024-2025) to address these issues.
The Government is also implementing a Local Content Strategy to reduce high importation rates of goods that can be produced locally.
Minister Ndlovu emphasised the need to promote local production and ensure industry competitiveness.
Nestlé market head for the East and Southern Region Ms Nicole Roos highlighted the investment’s alignment with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030.
“Our aim is to establish Zimbabwe as the breakfast cereal hub for the East and Southern Africa region,” she said.
Corporate communications and public affairs director for Nestlé East and Southern Africa Ms Connie Sethaelo expressed confidence in Zimbabwe’s economic policies, noting that this investment aims to increase capacity and stimulate economic growth.
“We are very pleased with the policies that have been implemented. This is evident in our commitment to continue investing. We believe (the US$7 million investment) will stimulate economic growth, provide community support, and facilitate skills transfer. We are optimistic about its impact and look forward to further expansion,” Ms Sethaelo added.
Nestlé’s journey in Zimbabwe began in 1959, and over the past decade, the company has invested more than US$40 million in enhancing its operations.
This includes upgrades to facilities and the establishment of the country’s first industrial water treatment plant.
With this latest investment, Nestlé aims to increase the cereals plant’s manufacturing capacity by over 35 percent, reinforcing its market leadership in the cereals category and contributing to job creation.
The commissioning of Nestlé Zimbabwe’s fourth Roller Dryer Cereal Plant not only signifies a significant investment in the economy but also reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to local production and community support.
Online Reporter