Online Reporter
Michael Tome, Business Writer
ZIMBABWE and Zambia must shift their economic relations from basic trade to joint industrial development to unlock real value for their citizens, ZimTrade chief executive Mr Allan Majuru has said.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe–Zambia Business Forum on Thursday, Mr Majuru urged the two countries to move beyond trading goods to building industries, from moving products to creating value, and from dialogue to measurable results.
He said that while trade between the two neighbours continues to grow, the focus should now be on tapping into high-potential sectors that can drive industrialisation and sustainable growth.
Mr Majuru highlighted priority sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, construction, mining, energy and services as key areas for cooperation.
His remarks come as the two countries work towards establishing the Common Agro-Industrial Park (CAIP) with support from Comesa and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Uneca).
The Zimbabwe–Zambia CAIP stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2021, marking the launch of a joint industrialisation programme between the two nations. Its long-term vision is to strengthen value chains in cotton, wheat, rice, soya beans, sugar, livestock (leather and dairy) and horticulture.
Seen as a vehicle for structural economic transformation, the CAIP aims to commercialise agricultural value chains through joint ventures that improve productivity, enhance export competitiveness and boost earnings for both economies.
Under this programme, Zimbabwe and Zambia will collaborate on joint ventures to increase agricultural output.
“Our two nations share a common border and a shared vision of achieving sustainable growth through trade, investment, tourism and industrial cooperation. We must ensure that Zimbabwe and Zambia move from trading goods to building industries, from moving products to creating value, and from dialogue to measurable results that benefit our people.
“As we engage today, this forum is an opportunity to consolidate these achievements and identify new areas of cooperation. Some of the priority sectors include agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, construction, mining, energy and services.
“These sectors are key to our industrialisation agenda and hold immense potential for joint investment and value addition. We believe that with the proximity we share and cultural similarities, we can go beyond this mark,” said Mr Majuru.
Zimbabwe and Zambia are largely trading partners, with Zambia being Harare’s fourth-largest export destination, accounting for around nine percent of total exports — a clear indication of the strategic importance of this partnership.
Zimbabwe’s key exports to Zambia include processed foods, agricultural inputs and implements, building and construction materials, energy products, tobacco products, coal and related by-products. As the largest off-taker of Zimbabwe’s value-added exports, Zambia plays a pivotal role in sustaining demand for locally manufactured goods.
According to TradeMap, Zimbabwe’s exports to Zambia increased by 175,4 percent, from US$60 million in 2021 to US$144,76 million last year — a clear sign of growing confidence and opportunities between the two economies.
Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) director of investments, Mr Chimuka Nketani, said the two countries share a broader vision of regional integration and industrial development, urging stakeholders to translate policy commitments into concrete business ventures.
“Zambia and Zimbabwe share more than a border. We share a vision of regional integration, industrialisation and sustainable development. It is our hope that this forum will help present an opportunity for all of us to translate that shared vision into practical business linkages,” said Mr Nketani.
ZIDA chief executive Mr Tafadzwa Chinamo also highlighted ongoing collaborative projects, including the Lake Kariba Blue Economy Strategy and Investment Plan.
“Earlier this year, ZIDA participated in the validation and launch of the Lake Kariba Blue Economy Strategy and Investment Plan, a joint initiative between the Governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia, supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
“This 10-year, US$35 million initiative aims to transform Lake Kariba into a vibrant hub for sustainable aquaculture, fisheries, tourism and renewable energy, directly benefiting more than 3,5 million people who depend on the lake for their livelihoods,” said Mr Chinamo.
With trade volumes rising and cooperation deepening across multiple sectors, Zimbabwe and Zambia are now better positioned to forge a shared path towards industrialisation, sustainable growth and regional competitiveness.
