Zimbabwe to boost steel, coal exports to DRC amid growing demand

Zimbabwe should capitalise on its expanding steel and coal industries to increase exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where demand for these commodities is rapidly growing, Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Engineer Polite Kambamura has said.

Speaking after visiting stands of Zimbabwean companies at the 2025 DRC Mining Week, Eng Kambamura highlighted that Zimbabwe's participation at the continental event demonstrates its commitment to strengthening trade relations with the DRC, particularly by leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

"Considering that we now have the largest steel plant in the region, we need to take advantage of that with the DRC," he said. "We need to market our steel from Manhize in the DRC, where there are many companies that need steel. This is a huge market, and this means our relationship has to be strengthened by taking advantage of the AfCFTA."

The multi-million-dollar Dinson Iron and Steel Company plant in Manhize is the largest integrated steelworks in the region. It is expected to play a key role in Zimbabwe's industrialisation drive by supplying locally produced steel for construction, manufacturing, and exports.

In addition to steel, Zimbabwe has seen significant growth in coal production, driven by investments in thermal power and industrial energy supply. Deputy Minister Kambamura noted that coal is another vital export commodity that Zimbabwe can supply to the DRC, where local coal mining is limited but industrial demand remains high.

"We need to open up a trade corridor - talk of the Lobito Corridor, which links Angola, Zambia and the DRC," he said. "We can take advantage of that to ship material or supplies from Zimbabwe, be it coal, because they rarely mine coal here, but their industries are looking for it."

Seven Zimbabwean companies from the mining and agricultural sectors are showcasing their products and services at the 2025 DRC Mining Week. These include Charter Seeds, Megabreeze, Zambezi Gas and Coal Mines, GB Holdings, James P Dixon, Powerdrive Engineering, and Boltgas International.

Facilitated by ZimTrade, the national trade development and promotion organisation, the mission aims to integrate Zimbabwean companies into the DRC's mining value chain by tapping into the growing demand for mining inputs, equipment, and support services.

The DRC Mining Week, one of Africa's premier mining expos and investment platforms, attracts thousands of participants, including mining companies, government officials, financiers, equipment suppliers, and service providers. It offers a forum to explore partnerships and investment opportunities across the mining value chain.

"Our presence here shows the strength of our relationship with the DRC," said Eng Kambamura. "Zimbabwe is a mining country and so is the DRC. There are opportunities in service provision, sharing technical expertise, and finding markets for minerals."

He added that several investors at the exhibition expressed interest in exploring opportunities in Zimbabwe, underscoring the need for enhanced collaboration between the two countries. "The two countries need to work on some symmetry, some synergies, so that both our mining sectors benefit and grow. We encourage companies in Zimbabwe to take up opportunities in the DRC."

The 2025 DRC Mining Week will continue until Friday.