Industry in Southern Africa

  • Govt accelerates SEZs rollout

    ZIMBABWE, 2017/03/07 THE Industry and Commerce ministry will any minute at this time announce the new board for the Appropriate Economic Zones (SEZs), as government speeds up the process expected to attract foreign direct investment into the country. SEZs are located within a country’s national borders and their aims include: increased trade, increased investment , job creation and effective government.
  • South Africa's manufacturing output flat, points to slowing economy

    SOUTH AFRICA, 2016/11/16 South Africa's factory output was flat in September from a year ago, data showed on Thursday, contrasting strong second quarter economic increase and increasing the risk of a credit rating downgrade. Separately, mining output increased by 3.4 % year-on-year in September . But analysts said this was not sustainable as commodity prices struggle to recover.
  • Zimbabwean female carpenter builds profitable business in male dominated trade

    ZIMBABWE, 2016/10/29 A female carpenter Jennifer Rupiya is building a sofa at her workshop On the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe. She is one of few female carpenters in the city. Before she started her business, Charlywood Investments six years ago, Jennifer used to sell snacks to other carpenters again she started to take a keen interest in their work.
  • Ozone-friendly fridges manufactured in Swaziland

    SWAZILAND, 2016/05/12 Swaziland has launched the manufacturing of cyclopentane refrigerators that are reputed to be ozone-friendly.Palfridge Swaziland, a company that manufactures refrigerators, will from now on use this chemical agent that significantly reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the insulating process in the manufacturing of its top-freezer refrigerators.
  • Africa: China - Africa's Springboard to Industrialisation

    CHINA, 2016/05/10 China is fast proving its mettle on its commitment to helping African nations come out of their situations to occupy world positions of prosperity. While some people on the continent are from presently on to wake up to that reality, the Asian country has a drawn-out vision which augurs well with the developmental aspirations of African nations. That China has emerged as Africa's major trading partner in the last few years is undisputable, with trade reaching $975,92 billion between 2011 and 2015.
  • Africa Industrialization Day through the micro lens

    AFRICA, 2015/11/30 Despite my years of research experience on African industrial development, it has come to my attention for the initial time that there has been a long tradition of celebrating Africa Industrialization Day on November 20—each year since 1990! But why celebrate African industrialization? In short, to raise world awareness on the importance and challenges of African industrialization and to stimulate the international community\'s commitment to the industrialization of Africa. In addition, African industrial development contributes to not just in general economic and social development but as well to this year’s theme: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for poverty eradication and job creation for women and youth. 1. Why do we care about African industrialization? All nations should have an active industrial policy to achieve sustainable development: Sound industrial policies present Africa opportunities to invest in its human and physical capital formation, in technological innovation, and in supportive institutions. In addition to the merits of industrialization on its own, African industrialization as well helps nations achieve pro-poor increase and safeguards economies against market and climate-related shocks. Thus, African industrialization is essential to spurring increase and improving in general well-being on the continent.
  • South African retailer sees wholesale opportunity at DRC-Zambia border

    CONGO BRAZZAVILLE, 2015/11/20 South African-based grocer Fruit & Veg City is planning on setting up a wholesale centre at Kasumbalesa, the border town between the DRC and Zambia, according to the retailer’s chief of African operations, Frans van der Colff. “I have stood at that border and [watched] trucks arrive and stand there, and they are emptied – they sell everything on the truck before they even cross the border. And people don’t come through the border post, they just run through the bush on the side, buy… and again simply run back and sell on the other side.” The road from Kasumbalesa leads to Lubumbashi, the DRC’s second major city, and Van der Colff said the route is “phenomenally busy”.
  • Zimbabwe No Joy for Newzim Steel in 2015

    ZIMBABWE, 2015/01/30 The year 2015 will mark exactly four years after Government and Indian conglomerate, Essar Africa Holdings, put pen to paper in a deal that put smiles on the faces of millions of Zimbabweans - the revival of Kwekwe-based steel manufacturer, Ziscosteel. After a number of failed deals with other potential suitors, a rescuer had finally come to the aid of the defunct steel giant. At the time in 2011, the Ziscosteel revival deal was estimated to be worth over $750 million and promised to resurrect economic activity not only in the small town of Redcliff but in the Zimbabwean economy as a whole.
  • South Africa’s gambling industry posts firm growth

    SOUTH AFRICA, 2013/11/16 Gambling industry on the up and up according to new data, with casinos, sports and bingo as well posting strong increase. The South African gambling industry is going from strength to strength, according to a new statement by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Gross gambling revenues posted their major historical increases over the last five years, just as the country’s decade of post-millennial increase slumped. Casinos are the biggest category. Legalised in the 1990s, they are presently evolving into diversified entertainment centres. “They have become places for cinemas, ten-pin bowling, restaurants, particularly as urbanisation is happening,” Nicki Forster, lead author of the statement, tells This is Africa. Gross gambling revenues for this category were R16.4 billion ($1.5bn) in 2012, which is 78% of total gross gambling revenue.
  • Industrial policy must be practical in Zimbabwe

    ZIMBABWE, 2013/10/26 The country's Industrial Policy, which is awaiting implementation, needs to acknowledge certain realities and practical challenges such as the lack of Foreign Direct Investment and economic sanctions, which have made it difficult to produce competitive products for export. In addition, there is need to accept the fact that certain companies are beyond saving and should be allowed to wind up operations. It is better to focus on creating new smaller companies that are additional competitive in terms of cost structure and product quality.