Zimbabwe needs specialised technical skills to successfully transition to green manufacturing and achieve industrial energy efficiency, according to the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries.
Green or sustainable manufacturing involves producing goods through economically sound processes that minimise negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources.
In a post on its X platform, CZI said that as industries seek to improve productivity, reduce energy costs and strengthen competitiveness, investment in technical skills development is becoming increasingly important.
Zimbabwe’s largest industrial lobby group said building expertise in energy management, operational optimisation and internationally recognised frameworks such as ISO 50001 enables organisations to identify efficiency opportunities, improve resource utilisation and drive continuous improvement.
“The transition towards green manufacturing and greater industrial energy efficiency depends not only on technology and systems, but also on the availability of skilled professionals who can design, implement and sustain these improvements,” said CZI.
Core principles of green manufacturing include transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, and utilising smart, IoT-enabled machinery to reduce power consumption.
It emphasises product life extension through repair, refurbishment and remanufacturing.
It also focuses on recycling and minimises hazardous byproducts and eliminates unnecessary packaging, often achieved through intelligent material tracking and industrial symbiosis.
By streamlining resource use and reducing energy consumption, key benefits include lower utility costs and wider appeal to the rapidly expanding demographic of environmentally conscious consumers.
CZI said its annual manufacturing sector survey report for 2025 highlights productivity enhancement, technology adoption and operational efficiency as central to industrial performance, but warns that successful implementation relies heavily on competent technical personnel across the sector.
“Strengthening industry skills and technical capacity creates the foundation for accelerated adoption of energy-efficient practices, supports the transition to greener manufacturing processes and enhances the long-term competitiveness of Zimbabwean industry,” said CZI.
“Developing the skills required for a sustainable industrial future is therefore not only a workforce development priority, but it is a critical enabler of industrial growth, energy efficiency, and economic resilience.”
CZI has partnered with the government of Sweden on the Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa — Zimbabwe Country Window.
The initiative is being implemented with help from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to help Zimbabwe move towards green manufacturing and improve industrial energy efficiency.
The programme was launched in August last year, in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Power Development and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, to support inclusive and sustainable industrialisation through energy efficiency interventions.
It is designed to harness energy efficiency to meet demand for clean energy while supporting green industrialisation and will scale up efficient technologies, address inefficient lighting and appliances and improve e-waste management through technical assistance and an Industry Clean-Tech Platform.
For Bulawayo manufacturers who face high power costs and ageing plants, CZI said the priority is building a pipeline of technicians able to audit energy use, implement ISO 50001 systems and sustain savings.-herald
