Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira
Senior Reporter
President Mnangagwa has underscored the need for Zanu PF members to fully back Government policies on value addition and beneficiation of minerals, saying increased mineral value and export earnings will drive economic growth and improve the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.
Speaking at the 130th Ordinary Central Committee meeting in Harare yesterday, the President — who is also the Zanu PF First Secretary — said party members should be united in supporting the Second Republic’s direction on beneficiation, which aligns with resolutions from the 22nd National People’s Conference held in Mutare last year.
“I also applaud the party membership as a whole for supporting the policies of our Zanu PF-led Government with regards to value addition and beneficiation, which are in line with the conference resolutions made in Mutare,” he said.
“The value of our minerals and export earnings must impact our economy and be enjoyed by all of us, the people of Zimbabwe.”
Government has moved to ban the export of raw concentrates of lithium and other minerals as part of a broader strategy to promote local processing and capture greater value for the country.
Authorities expect the ban to stimulate industrial growth, increase export earnings and contribute to higher GDP by ensuring Zimbabwe derives maximum benefit from its mineral endowment.
President Mnangagwa also highlighted close collaboration between Government and the private sector to devise innovative solutions that reduce economic vulnerability.
“On its part, Government and the private sector are closely collaborating towards innovative solutions to reduce overall economic vulnerability,” he said.
The President acknowledged global disruptions — notably the conflict in the Middle East — and said Government is implementing measures to shield the domestic economy from adverse spillovers.
“The ongoing global disruptions, particularly the negative trickle‑down effects of the Middle East conflicts, are receiving due attention from Government.
“We encourage our people to remain resilient and engrossed in driving development, production and productivity across all sectors,” said President Mnangagwa.
Among the interventions announced to mitigate the impact of the conflict are measures to rationalise fuel taxes and to increase the ethanol blend in petrol from 5 percent to 20 percent — steps intended to ease fuel pressures and support broader economic stability.
