Online Reporter
Prosper Ndlovu in GABORONE, Botswana
GLOBAL Expo Botswana kicks off this week at the Fairgrounds in Gaborone, running from 8 to 11 October, and Zimbabwe is ready to make its mark with at least 20 local companies participating.
These are drawn from sectors such as fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), horticulture, building and construction materials, leather, and professional services.
The businesses are exhibiting under the Zimbabwe Pavilion, showcasing the country’s creativity, manufacturing strength, and growing export footprint.
This year’s edition, which is the first under Botswana’s new administration following a break in 2024 due to national elections, comes at a time of renewed trade momentum between the two neighbours.
In 2024, Zimbabwe’s trade promotion body, ZimTrade, led a market visit to Botswana with local manufacturers, which culminated in several trade deals with Botswana-based buyers, further tightening economic ties.
Zimbabwe has been a regular feature at Global Expo Botswana since 2019, while Botswana, through the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), has consistently taken part in the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.
This mutual participation reflects the long-standing friendship between the two countries, built on shared culture, history, and mutual economic interests.
The Bilateral Trade Agreement of 1988 between the two nations remains the cornerstone of this relationship. It allows duty-free trade in qualifying goods, encouraging the exchange of manufactured products, agricultural commodities, and services. Over the years, the agreement has supported the growth of small and medium enterprises and helped sustain the flow of goods between the two economies. Regular reviews by ZimTrade and BITC ensure it continues to respond to new market realities.
Opportunities continue to expand in processed foods, furniture, leather goods, construction materials, and horticulture, with Botswana’s growing retail and infrastructure sectors offering a ready market for Zimbabwean exporters.
Adding to this is the influence of the vibrant Zimbabwean diaspora in Botswana, whose affinity for local brands has helped sustain demand and visibility for both new and legacy Zimbabwean brands.
Zimbabwe’s participation once again signals confidence in regional trade and the shared ambition to see local products move beyond borders: from Gaborone to the rest of Africa.
As Global Expo Botswana 2025 opens its doors, the Zimbabwe Pavilion stands as a beacon of regional collaboration and offers a strategic platform to deepen trade partnerships and expand market accesswhile celebrating the resilient bond between Zimbabwe and Botswana.
