Pic credit: Min of Information
Story by Jeremiah Gora
President His Excellency Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa today commissioned Davipel Holdings Group’s new headquarters and agri-milling, stock-feed and snack-manufacturing plants in Harare, declaring that his Government remains firmly committed to building a diversified, competitive and export-oriented economy through value addition and beneficiation of Zimbabwe’s natural resources.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony at the company’s industrial complex in Sunway City Special Economic Zone, President Mnangagwa said Government would continue implementing policies that promote industrialisation, attract investment and increase local production as Zimbabwe accelerates its drive towards Vision 2030.
“My Government remains firmly committed to building a diversified, competitive and export-oriented economy, riding on the value addition and beneficiation of our God-given natural resource endowments,” President Mnangagwa said.
The President described Davipel Holdings as a model of Zimbabwean entrepreneurship, praising the company’s remarkable transformation from a modest enterprise into one of the country’s leading agro-industrial businesses.
“The journey of this company reflects entrepreneurial vision, resilience, steadfast determination and indeed, strong and unwavering patriotism. I congratulate the founders, Mr. and Mrs. Norupiri, along with your team, for a job well done. Your entity is an exemplary test case in our ongoing industrialisation journey,” he said.
President Mnangagwa noted that since his last visit to the company in June 2018, when he commissioned a manufacturing facility valued at about US$12 million, the business had expanded significantly, increasing its manufacturing capacity, employment creation and market presence.
He said the company’s integrated operations, comprising snack manufacturing, stock-feed production, maize milling and freight services, were strengthening national food security while creating strategic industrial synergies.
The President commended Davipel’s partnership with Turkish investors, saying such collaborations were vital for technology transfer and improving production efficiencies in Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector.
“Since the initial expansion of this company in 2018, I commend Turkish companies for their strategic and successful partnerships. My Administration stands ready and welcomes greater investments from Turkey for technology transfer as we modernise to improve production efficiencies in the manufacturing sector and scale up value addition and beneficiation,” he said.
President Mnangagwa challenged Davipel Holdings to accelerate the establishment of stock-feed distribution depots across the country in line with Government’s devolution and decentralisation programme.
“I challenge the company to speed up the envisioned establishment of stock-feed distribution depots across the country. This aligns with the present Devolution and Decentralization thrust and eases access to agricultural inputs by communities and smallholder farmers,” he said.
He also encouraged the company to establish subsidiary manufacturing entities in provinces and districts to support the rural industrialisation drive.
The President said Sunway City Special Economic Zone had become one of Zimbabwe’s leading industrial hubs, now accommodating more than 40 enterprises, and reiterated that “Zimbabwe is Open for Business.”
He announced that Government would soon unveil three major policy frameworks aimed at accelerating industrial growth: the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy II (2026-2030), the Consumer Protection Policy (2026-2030) and the Local Content Strategy.
According to President Mnangagwa, the Industrial Development Policy seeks to increase manufacturing output from the current US$7 billion to US$12 billion while targeting annual sectoral growth above five percent, exports of US$1 billion and industrial capacity utilisation of 75 percent.
“These benchmarks were set by you, the stakeholders in manufacturing, hence you must deliver,” he said.
He added that the Local Content Strategy would strengthen domestic value chains across strategic industries, including pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, iron and steel, textiles, leather, cement, automotive products, furniture and consumer goods.
President Mnangagwa said Government would continue creating a stable and predictable policy environment that rewards productivity, supports value-added exports and encourages investment.
He concluded by congratulating Davipel Holdings for its contribution to Zimbabwe’s industrial transformation before officially commissioning the company’s new headquarters and manufacturing plants.
“With these remarks, it is now my honour and privilege to declare the Davipel Headquarters, Agri-milling, Stock-feed and Snacks Manufacturing Plants officially commissioned,” President Mnangagwa said.
Davipel Holdings Group is owned by businessman Mr. Davison Norupiri and his wife Mrs. Pelagia Norupiri.
Mr. Norupiri also serves as Board Chairman of AFM New Covenant Church in Chisipite.
