Zimbabwe urged to boost local production

Zimbabwean business leaders and entrepreneurs have been urged to scale up local production, streamline cross-border trade and tackle structural bottlenecks limiting regional competitiveness.

This was the central message at the 2026 Enterprise Leaders & Innovators Society for Africa Business Summit held in Hwange under the theme Business Beyond Borders.

The summit brought together entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts from across the continent to map strategies for sustainable growth and deeper African economic integration.

Leading investor and economist Nigel Chanakira called for a decisive shift towards local production, warning that continued reliance on imports undermines long-term economic resilience.

"I think we should now be thinking about the opportunity we have to scale and look across Africa," he said, adding that sustainable business models must be accessible, inclusive and responsible.

Chanakira pointed to the electric vehicle (EV) sector as an example, noting that despite Africa's vast lithium reserves, countries continue to import finished products instead of developing local manufacturing capacity.

Echoing the sentiment, Thomas Hillin, chief executive of Ecosystem Architect Entrepreneurship for Everyone, said local manufacturing improves supply reliability and builds industrial capacity.

"More products should be made here. When you manufacture locally, you are less dependent on transportation, making supply more reliable," he said.

The summit also highlighted the importance of regional trade frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, which participants said holds significant potential despite ongoing tariff and policy challenges.

Joseph Simukoko, co-founder and CEO of Green Giraffe, said while AfCFTA is a step forward, implementation gaps remain.

"It's a transitional process, but it presents an opportunity for Africa and for Zimbabwe," he said.

Policy clarity and execution were also identified as critical enablers for growth. Elisabeth Valerio, chief executive of the International Centre for Professional Development, stressed the need for coordinated strategies.

"We need clearer standards, stronger coordination and disciplined execution," she said, adding that businesses must strengthen supply chains and expand into regional markets.

Meanwhile, Stephene Chikosho said intra-African trade continues to lag behind due to infrastructure gaps, with many countries still trading more with external partners such as China.

Sincpoint chief executive Labogang Letsoala highlighted the urgent need to improve transport corridors, border efficiency and regulatory harmonisation.

"If we do not fix corridors, border posts and supporting infrastructure, the idea of free trade loses meaning," she said.

Speakers agreed that Zimbabwe's abundant natural and human resources position it well to benefit from Africa's growing interconnected markets—provided structural challenges are addressed and local industries are strengthened.