*Steel giant rises in Manhize: Chinese investment sparks Zim’s industrial revival* *GROUP LINK* https://chat.whatsapp.com/JYwP6k4mXPI7NnpMWYiBJ7 *Advertise your Business* 0716469599 A transformative US$2bn investment by Chinese investors is set to place Zimbabwe on the map as home to Africa’s largest steel manufacturing plant. Nestled in the rural heartlands of Manhize near Chivhu, the Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) is nearing completion—bringing hope, jobs, and industrial revival to a region once defined by subsistence farming and economic outmigration. The project marks a major shift in fortunes for local residents, many of whom previously relied on low-income agriculture and viewed emigration to South Africa as the only viable path to economic survival. Now, the looming steel behemoth offers them a chance to remain and thrive at home. Upon completion, DISCO is expected to double its workforce from 3,200 to 6,200, with a strong emphasis on local employment—95% of staff are Zimbabwean, and 90% hail from the surrounding communities. Currently 90% complete, the plant boasts vertically integrated operations spanning mining, manufacturing, and processing of steel. It is set to produce a full range of products, including pig iron, steel billets, and rebars ranging from 10mm to 32mm in diameter. These materials are vital to Zimbabwe’s construction and infrastructure development. “We have got the pig iron and steel billets and these are the basis for any steel industry because they are the raw material for further processing,” said Wilfred Motsi, Projects Director for Dinson Iron and Steel Company. “At Dinson Iron and Steel Company, we have also started producing finished products like rebars starting from 10mm up to 32mm,” he added. The company has its eyes set on satisfying domestic demand first—particularly in the fast-growing construction sector—while also targeting export markets. By the end of 2023, Zimbabwe’s GDP stood at approximately US$59 billion. Projections indicate that DISCO alone could contribute between 2% and 5% of GDP, translating to US$1.18 bnto US$2.95 bn in economic output, with substantial foreign currency earnings from exports. “We have the products needed by the construction industry especially for the bridges, dams, houses both in urban and rural areas and even for high rising buildings,” said Motsi. To ensure efficient distribution, DISCO has established outlets in Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare. All its products carry the distinctive ‘DS’ trademark and are available from key distributors such as Africa Steel, BSI, and Steel Warehouse. Motsi emphasized the value and quality proposition of their products: “The products which we are importing are very cheap as compared to those being imported even in neighbouring South Africa. However, there are some products which are coming into Zimbabwe which are sub-standard and we are producing the product needed by the market from the iron ore itself; and in terms of strength and durability our products are one of the best in the regional market.” The Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe (CIFOZ) has welcomed the project’s impact, citing improved affordability and quality in steel products. “Already since the Dinson Iron and Steel started its operations there has been a significant price reduction in the market, which has a benefit in the construction industry meaning the costs are going to be lowered and we can now achieve the low-cost housing cheaper quality products,” noted the CIFOZ Chief Executive Officer. In a move to further protect and promote local industry, the Zimbabwean government recently gazetted Statutory Instrument (SI) 46 of 2025, under the Control of Goods Act. The SI mandates that construction firms apply for an import license before bringing iron and steel products into the country. While the measure has been welcomed for its protective intentions, industry players have pointed out grey areas that require refinement. “We were very excited when we heard about the SI46 as a company because it covers some of the products we are producing here and it also protects the industry market, whereby we do not want to see other steel coming in and flooding the market. However, there are some issues where the government was supposed to consider when they came up with the SI, because there is a certain product within that SI which we are not yet manufacturing as a company, not only our company but also other companies,” said Motsi. He further explained the implications: “For those companies which would want to procure those products, it becomes inconvenient for them to apply for the permit, of which it may take some time before they get the licence before they can import.” DISCO’s presence is catalyzing broader development, including the planned Chivhu New Town and the Dinson Special Economic Zone, both of which are under construction. These zones are expected to attract further investments and manufacturing operations built around steel production. “There is a new town coming and the industries that are going to tap off from the Dinson Special Economic Zone from the steel products production which will all be opportunities for us in the industry. We are hoping to work together with Dinson to establish our foot and enjoy a share of the cake,” said CIFOZ President Ephraim Gwindingwi. Martin Chingaira, CEO of CIFOZ, hailed the project as a game-changer: “As an association of contractors, this is our opportunity to identify manufacturers of our building materials for the projects in the country, enabling the projects to be done on time. This is a serious investment; we applaud the government for inviting such investment into the country. Currently we are now confident to have manufacturing which adds value to the economy.” CIFOZ Immediate Past President and Projects Director at Acer and Africa Steel, Emmanuel Chimedza, echoed these sentiments during a stakeholder site visit: “Already there is pandemonium in the industry—prices are falling and there is a lot of competition in the industry and also quality. Impressively, the products are much stronger, giving best results for us implementers of construction projects.” CIFOZ Senior Vice President Ellinah Shoko highlighted the potential for further partnerships: “Dinson Iron and Steel Company is such a development in the country with its massive mining and manufacturing activities strategically positioned. As industry players, they are looking forward to effective collaborations opened for us, such as distributorships of iron and steel products.” One of DISCO’s most strategic advantages is its ability to localize its supply chain. About 98% of raw materials are sourced domestically—including limestone, coke, thermal coal, and other aggregates. Even key services such as electricity are supplied locally, reinforcing the value chain and economic retention within Zimbabwe. The Dinson Iron and Steel Company is not only building steel—it’s building futures, stabilizing local economies, and energizing the broader national push for industrialization. As the furnaces are fired up and steel rolls off the lines, Zimbabwe is poised to forge a new era of economic strength from the heart of Manhize.