Cabinet approves sugarcane strategy to grow ethanol, cut fuel import bill
Cabinet approves sugarcane strategy to grow ethanol, cut fuel import bill
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Cabinet has approved the Zimbabwe Sugarcane Industry Development Strategy, a plan government says will expand production of sugarcane and by-products such as ethanol by 2035, in a move expected to support fuel blending and reduce the national fuel import bill.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda announced the decision at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare, saying the strategy is designed to build a competitive, climate-resilient and innovation-driven sugarcane industry.
According to targets outlined by government, the programme aims to increase sugarcane yields from 81 tonnes per hectare to 110 tonnes per hectare by 2035. Sugar production is targeted to rise from 400 000 tonnes to 500 000 tonnes per year, while electricity generation in the sector is projected to grow from 23 megawatts to 200 megawatts.
Ethanol output is expected to expand from 155 million litres to 600 million litres annually, while sugar exports are targeted to increase from 100 000 tonnes to 200 000 tonnes, government said.
The strategy also emphasises infrastructure modernisation, research and innovation, and stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, development partners, academia and local communities.
Dr Soda said the 2026–2035 plan goes beyond expanding sugarcane hectarage, placing emphasis on diversification and value addition using by-products such as molasses and bagasse.
“The Zimbabwe Sugarcane Industry Development Plan (2026–2035) seeks to transform Zimbabwe into a globally competitive, climate-resilient and innovation-driven producer of sugarcane and sugarcane-based products by 2035,” he said.
He said value addition would include expanded ethanol production, renewable energy generation, industrial by-products, bio-fertilisers, stock feeds, bio-plastics and other downstream industries.
Dr Soda said the plan’s objectives include modernising production systems to reduce risk and improve viability, as well as improving productivity and climate resilience, strengthening partnerships, and expanding renewable energy development.
Government said the strategy is anchored on seven pillars: enabling policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks; enhancing productivity and climate resilience; promoting product diversification; market and trade development and value chain diversification; research, technology and innovation; inclusive growth and smallholder development; and finance and investment.
Dr Soda said implementation is expected to raise yields and hectarage through improved access to affordable finance, enhanced irrigation infrastructure and regulatory support, with the aim of lowering unit costs and improving competitiveness regionally and globally.
He added that increased processing capacity is expected to expand ethanol output and grow sugar exports, supporting profitability across the value chain.
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