Online Reporter
Judith Phiri
Zimpapers Business Hub
Local businesses could gain access to regional buyers, investors, financiers and policymakers when Zimbabwe hosts the 19th COMESA Business Forum and Multi-Sectoral International Exhibition from October 19 – 21, 2026.
The forum opens proceedings for events that will culminate in the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit on October 22, 2026, which 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 its latest newsletter, the national trade development and development body, ZimTrade, said the COMESA Green Industries Connect will open proceedings in Harare on October 19 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 October 20 and an international multi-sectoral exhibition running from October 19 to 21 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,” ZimTrade said.
“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 annually, offering considerable scope for Zimbabwean companies seeking to expand their regional footprint.
COMESA represents one of Africa’s largest trade potentials, with several member states still heavily dependent on the export 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, Mr Allan Majuru, said the forum will provide exporting businesses with a 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, structured business-to-business and business-to-government event, business engagements will form part of the programme, giving participating companies a unique opportunity to contribute to regional policy direction,” he said.
ZimTrade said priority sectors will include manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, 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,” reads part of the newsletter.
