Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. ZIMBABWE is leveraging a high-level regional summit in Nairobi next month to integrate its key economic sectors into continental value chains, a move trade officials call crucial for the nation’s long-term export strategy.
According to ZimTrade — the national trade development and promotion organisation — the country will participate in the 18th Comesa Business Forum & Exhibition scheduled for Kenya from October 6 to 9, 2025.
Coinciding with the 24th Comesa heads of State and Government Summit, the forum’s theme, Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, provides a powerful platform for showcasing Zimbabwe’s capabilities.
ZimTrade is mobilising Zimbabwean companies from a range of high-potential sectors to exhibit and engage at the event.
These include agriculture and agro-processing, digital technology and ICT, manufacturing, financial services, tourism, mining and energy, and textiles and leather products.
“This event serves as a high-level platform for public-private dialogue, where leaders will discuss how digital innovation and strategic partnerships can drive regional growth,” said Allan Majuru, ZimTrade chief executive officer, in a statement yesterday.
“The forum’s recommendations will directly feed into the Comesa Business Declaration presented to Heads of State, making this a defining moment for Zimbabwe to showcase its national strengths and contribute to the region’s economic future.”
Zimbabwe’s trade performance with the Comesa region between 2020 and 2024 underscores the bloc’s continued importance as both a key source of imports and a vital export market.
ZimTrade said there are significant opportunities to grow exports into the region, given the preferential benefits companies enjoy as part of the Comesa Free Trade Area.
As a signatory, Zimbabwe benefits from the removal of trade barriers like high tariffs, making its products more competitive.
With this in mind, ZimTrade, with support from the Foreign Affairs and International Trade ministry, is making a significant push in strategic sectors with high growth potential in new export markets.
For example, Zimbabwe will participate in the Comesa-European Union (EU) Horticulture Connect event from October 6 to 8.
This platform provides a direct opportunity for local businesses to engage with European buyers and investors from key markets like the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Italy, which together represent 75% of EU-Comesa horticultural trade.
Direct engagement like this is vital for securing valuable export deals and gaining insights into the EU market’s rigorous requirements and standards, the organisation said.
The exhibition will be a dynamic space for businesses to highlight their products, forge new connections and secure impactful deals.
ZimTrade said the forum is a catalyst for Zimbabwean enterprises to amplify their role in both regional and global trade.
“With digital transformation as a central focus, discussions will centre around exploring how innovations like blockchain, precision farming, and e-commerce are revolutionising trade and agriculture,” it said.
“By embracing these technologies, Zimbabwean companies can enhance supply chain transparency, meet international standards, and boost their export competitiveness.”
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