Vice President Kembo Mohadi today toured the US$1.5 billion Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco) Manhize Steel Plant in a high-profile visit that underscores Zimbabwe’s commitment to industrialisation, infrastructure growth, and economic transformation. The visit marks a significant moment as the plant, now fully operational, ramps up its steel production output and affirms the country’s return as a force in Africa’s steel industry.
The Vice President was warmly welcomed by Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, Disco managing director Mr. Benson Xu, and other government officials. He began his tour of the sprawling steel complex by inspecting key areas of operation, including the blast furnaces and cintering units, where coke, iron ore, and limestone are mixed—crucial stages in the steelmaking process.
Disco, a subsidiary of China’s Tsingshan Holding Group, officially commenced production at the Manhize plant earlier this year. The facility is now manufacturing 10mm, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm, and 32mm deformed bars, which are essential products in the construction sector. In addition, work is ongoing to begin the production of round bars, a further testament to the company’s growing capabilities.
Currently producing over 600 tonnes of steel per day, Disco is rapidly scaling up operations with a goal of reaching 1,200 tonnes daily. With an annual production target of 600,000 tonnes, the integrated plant is expected to significantly reduce Zimbabwe’s dependence on steel imports, conserve foreign currency, and position the country as a regional manufacturing hub.
The Manhize Steel Plant is one of the most ambitious industrial ventures in Zimbabwe’s modern history. Backed by Tsingshan, one of the world’s largest stainless steel producers, the plant is equipped with both a carbon steel manufacturing facility and an iron ore mine. These integrated operations allow Disco to control the full value chain—from raw material extraction to finished products—making it one of the most advanced steel operations on the continent.
During the tour, Vice President Mohadi also observed production processes for finished products such as deformed bars, which are in high demand across Zimbabwe and the region for large-scale construction projects. He commended the company’s technological advancement and expressed confidence in its role as a key driver of Zimbabwe’s economic revival.
The Disco Manhize plant is part of a broader network of strategic investments by Tsingshan Group in Zimbabwe. These include Afrochine Smelting in Selous, which focuses on chrome smelting, and Dinson Colliery in Hwange, which produces coke—both of which are integral to the steel production process. The synergy between these operations forms a robust industrial ecosystem that supports jobs, infrastructure development, and local economic empowerment.
Beyond industrial output, the Manhize project is already delivering tangible social and economic benefits to communities in the Midlands Province. With more than 2,000 people employed so far, and more job opportunities emerging as the plant expands, the ripple effects of this investment are being felt across multiple sectors.
As Zimbabwe pursues its Vision 2030 goals, the success of the Dinson Iron and Steel Company stands as a symbol of what is possible through public-private partnerships, investor confidence, and a clear national development agenda. Today’s tour by Vice President Mohadi not only celebrated operational milestones but also reaffirmed the government’s support for sustainable industrialisation.
The Manhize Steel Plant is more than just a production facility—it is a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economic future, powering a new era of self-sufficiency, trade competitiveness, and prosperity.
