Harare, Zimbabwe – The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has officially confirmed Emmanuel Matsvaire as its substantive Chief Executive Officer, ending his interim tenure which began in September 2022. His appointment took effect on June 10, 2025, signaling a new phase of leadership and strategic focus for Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector.
Matsvaire’s confirmation was endorsed by the TIMB Board and formally approved by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, and the President of Zimbabwe. The move underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the tobacco industry, a vital contributor to the country’s foreign currency earnings.
TIMB Board Chair, Mr. Pat Devenish, praised the appointment, stating,
“Mr. Matsvaire is now the substantive CEO. He was appointed by the Minister and the President. We are pleased to have him leading the organisation at such a critical juncture for the industry. There’s a lot of important work ahead, and the board is excited about the direction he intends to take.”
Before his promotion to CEO, Matsvaire served as TIMB’s Chief Operating Officer, bringing years of experience and expertise in agriculture, economics, and strategic operations to the role.
His academic qualifications are extensive and relevant, including:
MSc in Development Economics from Bindura University of Science Education
MSc in Agribusiness from Africa University
BSc (Hons) in Operations Research and Statistics from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST)
BSc (Hons) in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management from Midlands State University
He is also currently pursuing a PhD in Agricultural Economics at the University of Zimbabwe, further deepening his expertise in the sector.
TIMB, as the statutory regulatory and advisory body, oversees the production, marketing, and export of tobacco — one of Zimbabwe’s key agricultural exports and a crucial source of foreign exchange.
Matsvaire’s leadership comes at a critical moment when the country is intensifying efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and value addition. Zimbabwe aims to raise agriculture’s contribution to GDP by promoting climate-smart practices, beneficiation of raw products, and improved access to international markets.
Observers believe Matsvaire’s immediate priorities will include improving farmer livelihoods, refining auction systems, enforcing industry compliance, and advancing traceability systems to boost transparency and quality control.
His mandate is clear: to transform strategic vision into practical reforms that benefit all stakeholders — especially smallholder tobacco farmers, exporters, and the broader national economy.
As Zimbabwe seeks to increase the tobacco sector’s global competitiveness, Matsvaire’s appointment offers hope for greater regulatory efficiency combined with innovative, market-oriented growth.
This new chapter under Matsvaire’s stewardship is poised to build a stronger, more resilient tobacco industry that supports sustainable development and maximizes economic returns for Zimbabwe.
