Online Reporter
Business Reporter
Zimbabwean coal producers are shifting their focus towards regional export markets across southern Africa, as declining global market prices and severe domestic rail bottlenecks force a strategic realignment in the sector.
According to the Coal Producers Association, the region presents immediate, high-potential opportunities, making southern Africa a critical target despite long-term export prospects in Asian and Eastern European markets.
In an interview on the sector’s strategic direction, Coal Producers Association chairman Mr Linos Masimura said that with international coal prices falling or stagnant, prioritising local and regional markets is essential for operational survival and growth.
However, high logistics costs continue to undermine the sector’s export competitiveness. Due to poorly maintained rail infrastructure, producers are heavily reliant on road haulage—a far more expensive transport alternative that drives up overall operational costs and erodes export margins.
The push to capture regional market share comes at a time when Zimbabwe has officially designated coal as a critical mineral.
The classification is part of broader policy measures aimed at attracting fresh foreign direct investment, boosting domestic production, and modernising critical mining infrastructure.
