Manhize Moves Into Cement Manufacturing as Dinson Industrial Complex Expands

Published in Zimbabwean Essentials August 07, 2026 119 Reads

Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco) is broadening its industrial reach in Zimbabwe with plans to launch a cement manufacturing plant at its Manhize complex.

The facility will produce up to 400,000 tonnes of cement annually by utilizing blast-furnace slag—a key by-product of its primary steelmaking operations.

Key Operational Highlights
Production Capacity: Projected output of 400,000 tonnes of cement per year using steel slag and locally sourced limestone.

Phase Two Expansion: Expanding into manufacturing downstream steel products, including nuts, bolts, wire mesh, angle iron, and rebar.

Energy Self-Sufficiency: Currently generating ~70 MW of power through thermal coal and waste-gas heat recovery systems, with plans to feed excess power into the national grid.

Local Employment: 60% of the workforce comprises local community members benefiting from on-the-job technical training and upcoming skills certification.

Industrial Synergy & Special Economic Zone Benefits
The integration of cement production into the Manhize complex turns waste products into construction materials, supporting value addition and mineral beneficiation.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana highlighted the potential for local entrepreneurs within the 800-hectare Special Economic Zone (SEZ):

"Disco is producing slag, ash and other by-products, and a lot of companies should be leveraging the presence of Dinson... There are a lot of incentives that come with Special Economic Zone status."

The complex is positioning itself to save Zimbabwe over US$100 million annually in import substitution while serving as a central hub for raw materials required across the construction, agricultural, and manufacturing sectors.

To see how the massive steelworks were established from the ground up, watch the Manhize Biggest Iron and Steel plant In Africa Documentary on YouTube. This documentary provides a comprehensive look at the construction, infrastructure scale, and strategic significance of the Dinson complex in Manhize.