What is the State of Zimbabwe's Manufacturing Sector?

The CZI Annual Manufacturing Sector Survey 2025 provides the country's most comprehensive assessment of manufacturing performance, highlighting where industry is growing, where challenges remain and what needs to happen next.

Good decisions begin with good information. For businesses, that means understanding where markets are moving before making investment decisions. For policymakers, it means designing interventions that respond to the realities faced by industry. This is why the CZI Annual Manufacturing Sector Survey (MSSR) has become one of Zimbabwe's most important sources of industrial intelligence. Conducted annually, the survey provides an evidence-based assessment of the health, competitiveness and outlook of the manufacturing sector, giving business leaders, investors and Government a shared understanding of the issues shaping industrial growth.

This year's survey, based on responses from 388 manufacturing companies across all ten provinces, paints a picture of an industry that continues to demonstrate resilience despite a complex operating environment. Manufacturing output increased by 13%, turnover grew by 12%, and capacity utilisation reached 55.9%—the fourth-highest level recorded since 2009. More encouragingly, 63% of manufacturers expect business conditions to improve during 2026, signalling growing confidence in the sector's future.

The findings also point to areas requiring urgent attention. Manufacturers identified the cost of doing business, unreliable infrastructure, limited access to affordable finance, dependence on imported raw materials and low adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence among the key constraints affecting competitiveness. Addressing these challenges will require continued collaboration between industry and Government, backed by evidence and practical policy solutions.

To unpack these findings, CZI convened the Manufacturing Sector Review under the Manufacturing Indaba banner, bringing together business leaders, policymakers and development partners to discuss the survey results and explore practical responses. Industry presentations from companies including Edgars Stores, Grobbie BEST Foods and the Zimbabwe Chinese Business Association demonstrated how investment, innovation, stronger local value chains and strategic partnerships are already helping businesses adapt and grow in a changing economic environment.

The Manufacturing Sector Survey is a key decision-making tool for industry. Its findings continue to inform CZI's advocacy agenda, policy engagement and research, ensuring that the voice of manufacturers remains at the centre of Zimbabwe's industrial development.