Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe
Zimpapers Business Hub
SMALL and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been urged to move beyond viewing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) as simply an export destination and position themselves as suppliers to regional manufacturers, major projects and procurement networks, industry players have said.
The call comes as Zimbabwe prepares to host the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit in Mt Hampden next month and assume the bloc’s chairmanship for the 2026-2027 period, providing local businesses with an opportunity to deepen their participation in regional supply chains.
COMESA has a market size of 560 million to 600 million people, a geographic area of 11,8 million square kilometers and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of approximately US$1,2 trillion.
Apart from focusing on selling finished products to consumers in neighbouring markets, SMEs can tap into demand for raw materials, packaging, components, transport, maintenance and professional services required by manufacturers, contractors and other large businesses operating across the region.
Industry players said this would give smaller businesses an avenue to access larger orders while encouraging investment in productive capacity, standards and technology.
Furniture manufacturing SME operator Mr Gibson Dube said local businesses needed to become more proactive in pursuing opportunities created by regional integration instead of relying mainly on the domestic market.
“SMEs should take advantage of these opportunities and position themselves to supply the regional market. We cannot continue looking at our businesses as serving only the local market when there is a much bigger market within COMESA,” he said.
Mr Dube said participation in regional supply chains could encourage SMEs to improve production standards and invest in capacity required to meet larger orders.
He said stronger integration into regional commerce could have a wider impact on Zimbabwe’s productive sector by stimulating investment and strengthening the country’s manufacturing and export base.
“If effectively harnessed, COMESA integration could give Zimbabwean SMEs access to larger orders, encourage investment in productive capacity and strengthen the country’s manufacturing and export base,” added Mr Dube.
“Regional opportunities will have to be actively pursued, with SMEs positioning themselves to meet the standards, volumes and procurement requirements of larger buyers.”
Fellow SME operator Mrs Sisa Moyo urged more businesses to participate in COMESA projects and initiatives, saying regional integration would only deliver broader benefits if companies actively engaged with available opportunities.
“We encourage other players to take part in COMESA projects and initiatives. There are opportunities for SMEs, but businesses have to be proactive and understand what is required to participate in these regional procurement systems,” she said.
