HARARE – Delta Corporation says its non-alcoholic beverages portfolio contributed US$473 million to Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product in 2025, highlighting the economic significance of its manufacturing operations, local procurement and distribution network.
The figures are contained in a new economic impact assessment conducted by consultancy Steward Redqueen, according to information released by the beverages manufacturer to The Zimbabwe Mail.
The report found that every direct job at Delta supported a further 21 jobs across the company’s value chain, underscoring the employment linkages between large manufacturers and businesses involved in agriculture, packaging, transport, retail and distribution.
Delta also reported spending US$94 million on locally sourced goods and services in 2025, reflecting the scale of its procurement activities within Zimbabwe’s economy.
Chief executive Matlhogonolo Valela, speaking at a business forum held alongside the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit, said the company remained committed to strengthening domestic production and supply chains.
“Our business is deeply connected to Zimbabwe’s economy, and we are committed to hiring locally, sourcing locally, and producing locally,” Valela said.
The economic impact findings come as Zimbabwe seeks to expand industrial production, strengthen domestic supply chains and increase the contribution of manufacturing to economic growth.
Delta’s reported GDP contribution reflects the broader economic activity associated with its non-alcoholic beverages operations, rather than the company’s direct revenue or profits.
Similarly, the employment multiplier measures jobs supported across the value chain and should not be interpreted as additional workers employed directly by Delta.
The figures illustrate the potential importance of established manufacturers in generating demand for agricultural inputs, packaging materials, logistics services and retail distribution.
Local procurement is particularly significant for Zimbabwe’s industrial sector, where stronger relationships between major manufacturers and domestic suppliers can help sustain production, encourage investment and retain a greater share of economic activity within the country.
For smaller businesses, participation in the supply chains of large manufacturers can provide access to established distribution systems and more predictable commercial demand.
However, the scale of these benefits depends on the proportion of inputs sourced domestically, the capacity of local suppliers and the extent to which manufacturing activity generates additional investment.
Delta’s findings also provide a perspective on the economic contribution of the beverages industry beyond factory operations.
Manufacturing businesses support wider networks of suppliers, transport operators, wholesalers and retailers, creating economic linkages that extend across several sectors.
The company’s emphasis on local sourcing comes amid broader regional discussions about industrial competitiveness, trade integration and the development of manufacturing value chains within COMESA.
For Zimbabwe, expanding domestic production and improving the competitiveness of local suppliers remain important considerations as businesses seek opportunities in regional markets.
The Steward Redqueen assessment provides a measure of Delta’s reported economic footprint, although the figures disclosed do not specify the total number of direct and indirect jobs supported or the methodology used to calculate the GDP contribution.
Those details would be necessary for a fuller assessment of the company’s economic impact and for comparisons with other major manufacturers.
Delta’s disclosure nevertheless highlights the relationship between industrial investment, domestic procurement and employment across the wider economy.
The company said its strategy remained focused on employing Zimbabweans, purchasing goods and services locally and maintaining domestic production, positioning its manufacturing operations as part of the country’s broader industrial development.
Source: Delta Corporation’s disclosure to The Zimbabwe Mail on findings from an economic impact assessment by Steward Redqueen, and remarks by chief executive Matlhogonolo Valela at a business forum held alongside the COMESA Summit.
