BUSINESS STRATEGY

Nestlé invests US$7m to boost manufacturing capacity in Zimbabwe

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

New roller dryer installed at the company’s plant in Harare is set to boost its cereal production capability by around 35%.

Nestlé Zimbabwe, which produces popular cereal brands such as Cerevita, has inaugurated a new US$7-million roller dryer at its plant in Harare to boost its cereal-production capacity by upwards of 35%.

This latest addition complements the three existing roller dryers already in operation at the plant. Currently, the company’s monthly cereal output averages 730 tonnes.

Photo: Nestlé via LinkedIn

According to local news reports, the Harare facility is one of the few cereal manufacturing plants of its kind in the region and a critical component of Nestlé’s US$40-million investment programme to scale up cereal and coffee production across the eastern and southern African region.

Nestlé commissioned the new equipment this week at a ceremony attended by various local dignitaries and company executives.

Among those present were Zimbabwe’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Zimbabwe, Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, MD and Chairperson of Nestlé Eastern and Southern Africa Region, Nicole Roos, and Khaled Ramadan, Managing Director of Nestlé East Africa.

“Today’s commissioning is not just an addition to Nestlé’s impressive infrastructure; it is a testament to the company’s resilience and dedication to Zimbabwe’s growth,” the Minister said.

“This investment will have far-reaching benefits for our economy, from job creation to increased exports.”

Writing on her LinkedIn page, Roos called the commissioning “a proud milestone”, adding: “This moment goes far beyond new machinery; it reflects our ongoing commitment to local manufacturing, sustainability and shared value creation.”

She continued: “This investment increases our production capacity by 35% and strengthens our long-term pledge to advance local manufacturing, empower local suppliers and smallholder farmers, drive sustainability through eco-friendly technology, [and] support livelihoods and skills development.”

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