Online Reporter
Judith Phiri [email protected]
THE country’s trade and export vehicle, ZimTrade has said Zimbabwean business are set to gain direct access to regional buyers, investors, financiers and policymakers when Harare hosts the 19th COMESA Business Forum and Multi-Sectoral International Exhibition from 19 to 21 October 2026.
The event will be held on the margins of the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit and is expected to bring together participants from across the region.
The Summit will run under the overall theme, “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA.”
In their latest newsletter, ZimTrade said ahead of the main Business Forum, the COMESA Green Industries Connect will open proceedings in Harare on 19 October to explore opportunities across priority green value chains.
“The Green Industries Connect is one of three pillars of the COMESA Business Forum, alongside a High-Level Policy Dialogue on 20 October and an International Multi-Sectoral Exhibition running from 19 to 21 October at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
“The Business Forum is being convened by the COMESA Business Council, ZimTrade and the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the COMESA Secretariat and the Government of Zimbabwe,” said ZimTrade.
“For local businesses, the event provides a direct route into the wider COMESA market and an opportunity to take greater advantage of the regional trading framework.”
ZimTrade said COMESA has a market of more than 640 million people, a combined gross domestic product of about US$1 trillion and merchandise trade exceeding US$383 billion, offering considerable scope for Zimbabwean companies seeking to expand their regional footprint.
While COMESA represents one of Africa’s largest potential, with several member states still heavily dependent on exports of primary commodities.
“The Forum will therefore place strong emphasis on strengthening regional value chains, expanding productive capacity and encouraging businesses to increase value addition as part of efforts to deepen trade within the bloc.”
ZimTrade chief executive officer (CEO), Mr Allan Majuru said the Forum would provide exporting businesses with a practical platform to pursue new markets, engage potential partners and take part in discussions affecting regional trade and investment.
“To ensure this is a results-driven event, structured business-to-business, business-to-government and business engagements will form part of the programme, giving participating companies a unique opportunity to contribute to regional policy direction,” he said.
Running alongside the Forum will be the Multi-Sectoral International Exhibition, which will feature country pavilions, a COMESA institutions pavilion and structured networking platforms designed to promote direct interaction among participating businesses and institutions.
ZimTrade said priority sectors will include manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, the digital economy, financial services and fintech, mining, energy, textiles, leather products, tourism and hospitality.
“The exhibition is expected to provide Zimbabwean companies with a platform to showcase their products and services while engaging potential buyers, distributors, investors and business partners from other COMESA member states.
“For local exporters, the three-day programme will also provide an opportunity to meet regional financiers, development institutions and Government representatives in one place, reducing the need to approach individual markets separately,” read part of the newsletter.
