HARARE – Tobacco tycoon Simon Rudland will on Wednesday officially launch a US$120 million tobacco processing plant in Harare’s Aspindale industrial area.
Cut Rag Processors (CRP) could boost Zimbabwe’s tobacco value-addition efforts as the government targets a US$5 billion industry value chain by 2025.
The state-of-the-art plant has been operating since early 2024, but only now is it being officially opened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa following the end of construction.
CRP executives say the facility, equipped with German and Italian processing technology, has capacity to “significantly transform” the country’s largely raw-tobacco export-driven industry.
Zimbabwe currently exports about 98 percent of its tobacco in raw form.
“In terms of capacity, it’s almost triple what we had before. We intend to increase domestic output as well as cut-rag exports, because it gives value to the tobacco we produce locally,” a CRP executive said.
“The new machinery has brought efficiency and quality improvements, which add value to the customer.”
He said the company was targeting Asia and other international markets, describing Asia as “one of the biggest markets globally.”
The CRP project is the latest in Rudland’s diversified business interests spanning agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, finance and mining, with companies employing more than 10,000 people across the region.
Rudland, 54, has expanded his operations into markets including the Democratic Republic of Congo, positioning himself as one of the region’s most active private sector investors. His Pioneer Corporation group controls interests in multiple countries.
While his business successes have drawn attention, Rudland has also faced public scrutiny and criticism over the years — allegations his associates say stem from business rivalries and misinformation.
The businessman has said he remains committed to lawful operations, transparency, investment growth and employment creation, describing Africa as a market with “immense industrial potential.”
Through Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation (GLTC), Rudland manufactures and distributes cigarette brands such as Rudland & George (R&G), which was launched in 2015.
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