Zimbabwe introduces national quality policy

The government is set to introduce a National Quality Policy aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe's quality infrastructure and improving the competitiveness of locally manufactured products as part of efforts to accelerate industrialisation and expand export markets.

Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu said the policy, which is at an advanced stage of development, will establish a comprehensive framework for improving standards development, conformity assessment and accreditation systems across the economy.

He made the remarks during the ongoing Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Annual Congress in Victoria Falls.

Ndhlovu said the policy is expected to be presented to Cabinet in the coming weeks.

"The policy will provide a comprehensive framework for strengthening Zimbabwe's quality infrastructure, enhancing standards development, conformity assessment and accreditation systems, and promoting a culture of quality across all sectors of the economy," he said.

He said improving product quality was essential for Zimbabwean businesses to compete effectively in regional and international markets, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides access to a market of more than 1.4 billion consumers.

Ndhlovu also urged local companies to take advantage of China's recent decision to grant 100% zero-tariff access to exports from African countries, describing the initiative as a significant opportunity for Zimbabwean producers.

"Market access without productive capacity yields limited benefits," he said.

"The task before us is to produce competitively, consistently and at scale."

The minister reiterated the government's commitment to promoting value addition and beneficiation, saying Zimbabwe must move away from exporting raw materials and instead increase the production of higher-value manufactured goods.

"We must break the cycle of exporting raw materials and importing finished products," he said.

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Christopher Mugaga welcomed China's zero-tariff initiative but cautioned that Zimbabwe must first address structural constraints affecting industry if local companies are to fully exploit the expanded market access.

China's Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, also encouraged Zimbabwean businesses to seize the opportunity by increasing exports and strengthening their competitiveness in the Chinese market.

The proposed National Quality Policy forms part of broader government efforts to improve industrial productivity, strengthen manufacturing standards and support the country's target of building a US$12 billion industrial sector by 2030 through closer collaboration between government, industry and academia.