Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s bold ambition to become a continental steel giant has gained significant policy momentum following a government move to restrict the importation of selected steel products. The strategy, formalised through Statutory Instrument (SI) 46 of 2025, is widely viewed as a targeted intervention to protect and strengthen the country’s growing steel industry—particularly the transformative Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) project underway in Manhize.
The new regulations, which amend the long-standing Control of Goods (Open General Import Licence) regulations of 1974, now require importers to obtain licences before bringing in specified steel products. These include flat-rolled steel under 600mm in width, hot-rolled bars, forged rods, steel angles and structural sections—products that are either being or will soon be manufactured locally.
In an interview with the media, yesterday, Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu confirmed the changes, emphasising the need to regulate steel inflows to protect Zimbabwe’s domestic capacity from speculative imports.
“We have the largest steel plant in Sub-Saharan Africa at a time when countries like South Africa are struggling in the steel sector. It is imperative that we safeguard our progress by regulating imports that undermine our local manufacturing base,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He added that some regional countries, such as Zambia, have imposed tariffs on Zimbabwean products while continuing to export steel into Zimbabwe—a situation the new policy seeks to correct.
“You now have to apply for a licence to import certain steel products. This allows us to engage and understand whether those imports are necessary, while protecting our emerging local value chains,” Ndlovu said.
The move comes as DISCO, currently producing steel bars in its first operational phase, is expected to scale up output from 600,000 tonnes annually to 1.2 million, and eventually 5 million tonnes. This positions Zimbabwe as a potential steel powerhouse in Africa and a net exporter of iron and steel.
Industry leaders have welcomed the policy shift. Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries (ZIF) chief operations officer Dosman Mangisi called it a “critical step” toward insulating local manufacturers from unfair competition.
He noted the regulation would help conserve foreign currency and stimulate export growth.
“It is very important for the local economy, especially in the iron and steel industry. The timing is perfect given rising local production,” Mangisi said.
Economic analyst, Persistence Gwanyanya, added that the policy supports Zimbabwe’s broader industrialisation goals, particularly through value addition and job creation.
“This encourages investment in local manufacturing and aligns with the national vision of building a sustainable and self-reliant economy,” Gwanyanya noted.
Meanwhile, businessman Stanley Macheka commended the specificity of the import restrictions, saying they reflect an understanding of the local industrial landscape.
“This is a strategic move. However, successful implementation will require a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders to balance regulation with innovation and growth,” said Macheka
As Zimbabwe advances toward steel self-sufficiency and industrial transformation, SI 46 of 2025 signals a clear policy shift: the era of unregulated steel imports is ending, and the country is putting local manufacturing first.
