Itai Ndongwe
HARARE – Nestlé says it has invested a substantial US$40 million into its Zimbabwean operations over the past decade, signaling its enduring commitment to the nation’s economic growth and development.
This significant capital injection reflects the company’s unwavering confidence in the country’s capabilities, its potential for sustainable development, and the resilience of its people.
For over 60 years, Nestlé has been an integral part of Zimbabwe’s industrial and economic narrative. The company’s long-standing presence highlights its dedication to fostering local talent, supporting agricultural value chains, and contributing to job creation.
This continuous investment not only reinforces Nestlé’s position as a key player in the Zimbabwean market but also aligns with its broader vision of driving economic growth and creating shared value across Africa. Nestlé remains committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders to support Zimbabwe’s journey towards prosperity
Speaking during the commissioning of the US$ 7 million investment Roller Dryer 4 today in the capital, the company noted that, “ This latest investment is a continuation of our broader investment journey. Over the past decade, Nestle’ has invested more than US$40 million into our operations in Zimbabwe.”
The commissioning of the new roller dryer 4, is a pivotal development set to significantly boost Nestlé Zimbabwe’s cereal production capacity by 35%. This expansion solidifies Zimbabwe’s strategic importance as Nestlé’s Cerevita manufacturing and supply hub for the entire East and Southern Africa region.
Crucially, the project’s execution relied heavily on local Zimbabwean contractors, engineers, and project managers, serving as a powerful testament to Nestlé’s confidence in local capabilities and its commitment to fostering domestic expertise.
This significant investment is a direct manifestation of Nestlé’s “Africa for Africa” strategy. This overarching philosophy emphasizes developing and implementing localized solutions to address unique African challenges, fostering self-sufficiency and sustainable growth within the continent. By adopting a ‘local for local’ model, Nestlé aims to enhance regional resilience, significantly reduce import dependency on goods from outside the continent, and actively strengthen intra-African trade networks.
This approach ensures that production, sourcing, and distribution are optimized within the region, creating more robust and sustainable supply chains.
Currently, Nestlé Zimbabwe actively exports its finished, value-added products, particularly the popular Cerevita brand, to key regional markets including Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. The company harbors ambitious aspirations for further market expansion.
