Chiwenga urges Bata, SINO to scale up production as government pushes industrial revival

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has called on key manufacturers to ramp up production and improve capacity utilisation in order to meet growing domestic demand and support Zimbabwe’s industrial revival.

Dr Chiwenga made the remarks during a tour of Bata Shoe Company in Gweru, where he challenged the historic footwear manufacturer to fully exploit opportunities to expand production and strengthen the country’s leather value chain.
The Vice President said the government was keen to see the company increase its current capacity utilisation, which stands at about 43 percent, describing the figure as both a challenge and an opportunity for growth.

He emphasised that Bata, which was established in 1931, remains one of the cornerstones of Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector and has played a critical role in producing quality footwear and creating employment for Zimbabweans over the decades.

Dr Chiwenga said the visit was part of government’s wider engagement with industries in Midlands Province aimed at assessing production levels, identifying challenges and exploring ways in which authorities can support the expansion of local industries.
He urged the company to revive its tannery operations and expand the leather value chain, noting that the move would stimulate growth in the livestock sector while creating additional employment opportunities across the economy.

“The leather industry is very important for our agricultural sector. Once the tannery is revived, it means more jobs and growth in livestock production,” he said.

The Vice President also challenged the company to expand beyond domestic markets and begin exporting locally manufactured footwear across regional and international markets.

He commended Bata for collaborating with small and medium enterprises in the leather sector, saying such partnerships were key to building production capacity and strengthening competitiveness in both local and export markets.
Dr Chiwenga reiterated government’s commitment to promoting locally manufactured products through policies that prioritise domestic procurement.

“The policy of Buy Zimbabwe, Build Zimbabwe shall prevail,” he said, urging institutions and citizens to support local industries by purchasing Zimbabwean products.

Meanwhile, the Vice President also toured SINO Zimbabwe Cement Company, where he urged the cement manufacturer to increase production in order to meet the country’s growing infrastructure development needs.

SINO Zimbabwe Cement Company is currently producing about 350 000 metric tonnes of cement per year.
Dr Chiwenga said increasing output in the cement sector is critical as Zimbabwe continues to implement large-scale infrastructure projects, including road rehabilitation, housing construction and industrial development.
The Vice President’s visits to Bata and SINO form part of a broader industrial tour of companies in Midlands Province aimed at strengthening the country’s productive capacity.

During a separate tour of explosives manufacturer Intrachem in Kwekwe, Dr Chiwenga urged the company to deepen collaboration with tertiary institutions to boost research and production of explosives for the country’s expanding mining sector.
He said partnerships with Kwekwe Polytechnic and Midlands State University would help develop explosives suited to different mining conditions and improve the company’s production capacity.

The Vice President also pledged government support to help Zimchem Refiners in Redcliff expand production and increase its contribution to key sectors of the economy.

Zimchem Refiners general manager Tendai Shoko said the company has developed a new road construction chemical through collaboration with Midlands State University and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, as part of efforts to add value to its traditional coal tar products.

Dr Chiwenga said such partnerships between industry, academia and government are vital in driving innovation and strengthening Zimbabwe’s manufacturing base.