Sundaymail Editor
Trade Focus
Allan Majuru
THE current discourse centred on an inclusive approach to national development has seen renewed interest in identifying more economic opportunities across all the provinces.
The clarion call by President Mnangagwa to “leave no one and no place behind” is expected to unlock opportunities across all the provinces, as the country gears up to ensure an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
The Second Republic, through devolution, plans to improve the contribution of all districts to national economic growth.
For all provinces to unlock more opportunities, there is need to identify non-traditional forms of business activities that would leverage on existing revenue sources, as well as available natural resources. Further, all provinces must ride on their competitive and comparative advantages to grow exports.
The need to focus on an export-oriented economy is rooted in the premise that economies of export-oriented middle-income countries grow faster than those of countries that are generally less export-oriented. For the country to quickly realise its economic and human development goals, all districts must, therefore, harness their potential and increase their contribution to national export growth.
ZimTrade, the national trade development and promotion organisation, has since conducted research to establish the export potential in all the provinces.
Over the next weeks, we will unpack opportunities available in Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces.
Matabeleland North
Matabeleland North is rich in minerals, forestry, wildlife and water.
Its economy is centred around activities such as mining, tourism, cattle ranching, crocodile farming and fisheries.
The province is home to the Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and vast natural resources such as coal-bed methane gas, coal, coking coal, lithium, gold and diamonds. There is, however, growing realisation that product diversification, particularly for export-oriented products, will help the province to grow its economy and improve livelihoods.
For example, the province boasts a large hardwood forest area that could make it a hub for exotic and high-end furniture if manufacturers are capacitated and assisted to form organised groups.
The province also hosts a large water aquifer, which, if fully exploited, could transform some areas into agricultural centres that focus on horticulture. The area can end up being a source of produce such as fresh fruits and vegetables for export.
In addition, the large deposits of unsurpassed clay in areas such as Lupane and Hwange can contribute towards a strong regional ceramic industry that can tap into a strong culture and tradition to produce unique products for a niche market.
To grow exports, there is need for concerted efforts to address long-standing challenges affecting export opportunities.
The challenges include the foot-and-mouth disease, which limits the potential of the province to export its meat products.
With easy access to neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia, capacitating manufacturers and producers in Matabeleland North can potentially make it a gateway to regional markets.
Binga
Binga district, home to the BaTonga people, rests on the frontier of the Zambezi River, which offers several business opportunities. Access to fresh water means businesses can consider large-scale fish production for local and regional markets.
The district also has a thriving crocodile farming industry, which, if fully supported, can create opportunities for export of exotic leather and leather products.
However, fishing and crocodile farming businesses would need to be done in a sustainable manner, which does not affect the environment, as this is one of the areas that international buyers are considering when sourcing products from developing countries.
One of the areas that could provide long-term options for Binga is agriculture, which is often affected by human-wildlife conflict.
Establishing protected farms could be one of the solutions that can see growth in export-focused agricultural production in the district. Produce such as ginger, turmeric, sesame, citrus and castor bean have potential to be scaled up for exports and provide quick wins.
As the tourism sector in Binga is supported by a vibrant arts and crafts sector, there is potential for products such as baskets, chairs and other crafts in international markets. Vast forestry in and around Binga can provide natural ingredients that can be value-added into cosmetic and personal hygiene products.
Currently, some women groups in Binga have embarked on value addition with plants like ximenia, moringa, turmeric, aloe and ginger.
For example, the Zubo Women Trust is producing the jatropha soap, which has become very popular in areas around the Zambezi Valley. With financial support, there is room to step up production and meet huge orders from international buyers.
Bubi
Current economic activities in Bubi district are concentrated in mining and agriculture. Although the agriculture sector is dominated by irrigation schemes, the good thing is that these are in the form of cooperatives, which makes it easy to coordinate production for export markets.
With capacity building and training, smallholder farmers in Bubi can boost production of chilli, sesame seeds and small grains for export markets.
Hwange
The economy in Hwange is dominated by mining and electricity generation, as well as tourism.
Human-wildlife conflict often makes it difficult to engage in activities such as farming. However, tourism makes Hwange the hub for exports of arts and crafts, riding on potential international buyers who visit Victoria Falls and Hwange.
Ideally, establishing an arts and crafts cluster and centres of excellence in and around Hwange district will result in an improvement in quality and standards of the products. Capacity building and funding will make it easy to establish and sustainably run such centres.
Value addition and beneficiation in the mining sector will allow businesses to unlock their full potential, while, at the same time, creating jobs, improving infrastructure and boosting incomes.
Lupane
Lupane district, the provincial capital, hosts Lupane State University, which can be the hub of innovation.
Main activities in the district, which all have export potential, include tourism and safaris, natural oils and apiculture and cattle ranching, as well as timber production.
For example, being the largest reserve of indigenous hardwood in the area, there is potential to develop a viable export industry from forestry timber and associated by-products.
Nkayi
Nkayi district has huge gold deposits that make gold mining one of the main economic activities. There are very few irrigation schemes.
However, with large teak forests in the district, there is potential for the production of high-end hardwood products for markets such as South Africa, the rest of Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. However, this needs to be done in a sustainable manner.
Tsholotso
Although it is one of the driest parts of the province, Tsholotsho has potential for traditional grains production and exports. Furniture production is one of the low-hanging fruits for export. The vast tracts of land for cattle ranching can contribute towards increased meat and leather production in the district.
Umguza
The district, whose area surrounds the city of Bulawayo, has export potential in dairy farming, flower production, clay soil products, ceramics, cement production and forestry. The district can also leverage on the advanced industry in Bulawayo to strengthen its manufactured and value-added products.
Allan Majuru is ZimTrade’s CEO
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