Tsingshan eyes major Zimbabwe steel expansion

Tsingshan Holding Group, a major Chinese steelmaker, is considering tripling output at its Manhizhe steel plant in Zimbabwe, which started operations in 2024 and is located 205 km southeast of Harare, a move that would triple the plant's current capacity. The expansion is part of Tsingshan's global strategy to increase its presence in Africa. The expansion could add pressure on South Africa's struggling steel industry, as much of the increased production is expected to be exported to that country, making Zimbabwe a major steel exporter in the region, while also creating jobs and boosting local economic development. South Africa's steel industry is already under pressure from cheap imports and weak demand. Tsingshan may raise output to as much as two million tons, significantly increasing Zimbabwe's industrial output and marking a strategic milestone for the manufacturing sector, while further increasing pressure on South Africa's steel industry.