Regional Buyers ‘Quite Excited’ by Dinson Steel as Manhize Plant Powers Zimbabwe’s 2030 Ambition

Key Takeaways

• Dinson's Manhize plant cut steel imports, saving ~$500M annually.
• Exports rose from 413 tonnes (2024) to >140,000 tonnes H1 2025.
• Phase One capacity 600k tonnes; full build‑out targets 5 million tonnes.
• Plant generates 50 MW power, plans 70 MW to feed national grid.

Pulse Analysis

Zimbabwe’s long‑standing reliance on imported steel—once accounting for roughly 90% of domestic demand—has been a chronic drain on foreign reserves. The commissioning of Dinson’s $1.5 billion Manhize integrated mill marks a strategic pivot toward import substitution, delivering a tangible trade‑balance correction. By producing high‑grade billets, bars, and wire rods locally, the plant not only curtails the annual $1 billion import outflow but also creates a new export stream that bolsters the country’s balance of payments.

Beyond the immediate fiscal impact, the plant’s operational footprint is reshaping the Midlands Province. Phase One’s 600,000‑tonne capacity already supports over 2,000 direct jobs, with employment projected to rise to 25,000 as later phases come online. The facility’s self‑sufficient 50‑megawatt power plant—leveraging waste‑heat recovery—demonstrates a forward‑looking energy model, and the planned expansion to 70 MW will feed surplus electricity into Zimbabwe’s grid, enhancing national energy security. Special Economic Zone status further incentivises ancillary manufacturing, logistics, and services, while infrastructure investments—roads, schools, and housing—extend the socioeconomic benefits.

Strategically, the Manhize complex aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, which targets upper‑middle‑income status through industrial diversification. The rapid escalation of steel exports—rising from a few hundred tonnes to over 140,000 tonnes in just a year—signals the plant’s potential to become a regional hub for Southern African construction and manufacturing. Continued scaling to a 5 million‑tonne capacity, coupled with the planned smart‑city and science university, could catalyse a broader innovation ecosystem, positioning Zimbabwe as a competitive player in the continent’s emerging industrial landscape.