Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE will hold key business fora with two African nations later this month, as the country doubles down on efforts to grow the volume and value of trade on the continent.
South Africa remains Zimbabwe’s largest overall trading partner (combined imports and exports) as of early 2026, primarily due to high import volumes.
However, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become Zimbabwe’s top destination for exports, particularly for gold and minerals, surpassing South Africa in export value.
The country has scheduled a business indaba with Uganda on March 17 and with Egypt on March 25 in Harare.
National trade promotion and development body, ZimTrade, organised the Zimbabwe-Uganda Business Forum, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, working in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Zimbabwe.
The Indaba will include buyers from Uganda actively seeking trade business with the local exporters.
Trade between Zimbabwe and Uganda is relatively small but growing, focused on manufactured goods, agricultural products, and pharmaceuticals.
In its latest newsletter, ZimTrade said strategic partnerships with Ugandan firms could ease entry into that market, facilitate regulatory compliance and provide on-the-ground market intelligence.
“Such collaborations could enable Zimbabwean businesses to respond more effectively to regional demand while strengthening bilateral trade ties. The forthcoming Zimbabwe-Uganda Business Forum on March 17 is expected to bring together key institutions from both countries,” ZimTrade said.
Key participants will include the Uganda Investment Authority, Uganda Private Sector Foundation, Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotions Authority, Uganda Airlines and the Uganda Tourism Board.”
ZimTrade said the Zimbabwean delegates will include the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida) and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).
It said through policy dialogue, investment promotion and private sector engagements, the forum was expected to unlock new trade flows, investment prospects and long-term commercial partnerships.
“For Zimbabwean companies, the platform offers an entry point into a growing Eastern African economy and a chance to consolidate their presence across Eastern and Southern Africa under existing continental trade frameworks.
“Uganda’s import demand presents a ready market for Zimbabwean producers seeking to expand their regional footprint,” ZimTrade said.
“While overall trade between the two countries has remained relatively modest over the past five years, opportunities lie in the range of goods Uganda continues to source from within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa).
“A significant share of Uganda’s imports is supplied by fellow Comesa member states such as Kenya, Egypt, Eswatini and Zambia.”
ZimTrade said key products include iron and steel, mineral fuels and precious stones. The trend highlights how regional value chains and preferential trade arrangements are shaping sourcing patterns within the bloc.
As a Comesa member, Zimbabwe is well-positioned to plug into these supply chains, with local companies taking advantage of reduced tariffs and improved market access to increase intra-African trade, broaden their export markets and stimulate domestic industrial growth.
ZimTrade said Uganda’s business-friendly environment enhances its appeal. The country has two agricultural harvesting seasons, a relatively liberal foreign exchange regime and a growing population that is driving demand for goods and services.
“There are also prospects for in-market production, particularly in agro-processing and manufacturing, with the Uganda Investment Authority offering facilitation and investor support services.”
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe- Egypt Business Forum comes as African countries intensify efforts to grow intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), building on momentum from the third Intra-Africa Trade Fair held in Cairo in 2023, where Zimbabwean firms secured export orders and investment agreements.
“The forum is being jointly organised by ZimTrade, Zida and the Embassy of Egypt in Zimbabwe. The Egyptian delegation will be led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr Badr Abdelatty and will include companies drawn from the energy, mining, infrastructure, construction, agriculture, manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors.”
The trade and export vehicle said deliberations are expected to focus on trade and investment opportunities within the frameworks of COMESA and the AfCFTA, while the Forum was designed to move beyond dialogue toward practical outcomes.
ZimTrade said the programme will feature technical presentations on trade and investment prospects, as well as sector-focused discussions aimed at unlocking bankable projects and strengthening commercial partnerships.
“Egypt’s geographic position provides access to North Africa, the Middle East and Europe, making it a strategic entry point for Zimbabwean exporters seeking to expand beyond traditional markets.
“With a population of about 119 million and a gross domestic product estimated at US$395 billion in 2025, Egypt remains one of Africa’s largest markets. Trade between the two countries has largely been concentrated in a narrow range of products, underlining the need for diversification,” ZimTrade said.
Zimbabwe’s exports to Egypt reached a peak of US$55,8 million in 2020, driven by tobacco, before declining to US$421,000 in 2023 and recovering to US$7 million in 2024.
Egyptian exports to Zimbabwe have grown steadily from US$16 million in 2020 to US$39,7 million in 2024, mainly comprising cereals, plastics and pharmaceutical products.
The country’s trade and export vehicle said: “There is scope for Zimbabwe to expand its export basket into the Egyptian market. In horticulture, local producers are scaling up output of citrus, avocados and tea as part of a broader strategy to increase horticultural exports by 2030.”
ZimTrade said this expansion could position Zimbabwe to supply Egypt’s growing demand for fresh produce, while raw cane sugar and black tea have also been identified as products with room for increased penetration, alongside selected mineral products.
ZimTrade said Egypt’s strong demand for sesame seeds presents another opening.
“Supply chain disruptions in Sudan, traditionally a key supplier to Egypt, have created space for alternative sources, giving Zimbabwean farmers an opportunity to build new trade links.”
It said in the energy and mining sectors, Zimbabwe’s lithium reserves offer prospects for value chain partnerships, particularly in processing and renewable energy development, where Egyptian firms have technical expertise and project experience.
