Minister Garwe Pledges Government Support for Varun’s Expansion

The government will work with Varun Beverages Zimbabwe and its parent RJ Corporation to deliver their planned US$650 million investment, Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe has said.

Speaking at the commissioning of the company’s new juice and dairy-blend juice line, Garwe said investors require a stable, supportive environment to deliver commitments of that scale. He said his ministry is ready to help turn the planned projects into reality.

The proposed spending covers solar power for the national grid, beer production sourced from local farmers, and plastic recycling. Garwe said the projects speak directly to Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy.

He pointed to the company’s record as evidence of what investor confidence can achieve. Varun started out as a trading firm in 2017, opened its first production line in January 2018, and now runs 11 lines.

Its portfolio has also widened beyond beverages. The company manufactures Cheetos snacks locally and holds distribution rights for Carlsberg and Mondelez brands in Zimbabwe.

Employment remains central to the story, according to the minister. About 2,000 people work directly for the company, while around 13,000 others depend on it as distributors, retailers, transporters and suppliers.

The new line, whose foundation stone President Emmerson Mnangagwa laid in May 2026, was built within months. Garwe said the line will process local agricultural produce and reduce reliance on imported juice products.

Garwe congratulated the chairman, management and staff, quoting the President’s message that Zimbabwe is open for business and saying Varun is showing what that looks like in practice.