Zim-Zambia forum to deepen economic ties

Business Writer

ECONOMIC co-operation between Zimbabwe and Zambia comes under the spotlight tomorrow as businesses from both countries, policymakers, investors, and key stakeholders gather in Harare for a bi-national business forum.

The Zimbabwe-Zambia Business Forum, which will run alongside the Zimbabwe–Zambia Bi-National Commission (BNC), will bring together policymakers, business leaders, and investors to explore ways of expanding trade, promoting investment, and strengthening industrial co-operation between the two neighbouring economies.
Jointly organised by the national trade development and promotion agency ZimTrade, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida) and the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) — under the guidance of the respective ministries responsible for trade and industry — the forum will also explore opportunities in both the public and private sectors.

The discussions will focus on identifying joint venture opportunities, improving market access, and building regional value chains that enhance productivity and competitiveness.

ZimTrade chief executive officer Mr Allan Majuru said the forum presents an opportunity for both countries to consolidate their economic partnership and explore new areas of collaboration.

“The forum is an opportunity to identify practical ways of improving trade and investment flows. Our objective is to ensure that enterprises from both countries can collaborate in areas that promote value addition, increase investment flows and trade,” he said.

Mr Majuru said the discussions would centre on productive sectors that drive both economies, including agriculture and agro-processing, mining, manufacturing, renewable energy and tourism.

“Zimbabwe and Zambia share similar economic priorities centred on industrialisation and export diversification, and we want to ensure our businesses can develop regional value chains that enhance capacity utilisation and create shared growth.”

The forum will feature business-to-business meetings and sector-specific discussions aimed at generating tangible business leads and fostering partnerships in supply, distribution, and technology transfer.

The Zimbabwe-Zambia Business Forum aligns with the Government’s broader efforts to deepen regional integration and increase private sector participation in driving economic transformation.

In addition to creating a platform for business engagement, the forum is expected to address trade facilitation, logistics, and financing mechanisms to improve the efficiency of cross-border commerce.

The timing of the forum coincides with growing trade activity between the two countries.
Figures from Trade Map show that Zimbabwe’s exports to Zambia rose from US$52,56 million in 2019 to US$144,76 million in 2024, representing a 175 percent increase. During the same period, imports from Zambia grew from US$112,75 million to US$315,40 million — an increase of 180 percent.

The main traded goods include agricultural produce, processed foods, metals, machinery and industrial inputs.
Mr Majuru said the growth in trade volumes highlights the importance of continued engagement between the two economies.

“The increase in trade volumes shows that there is scope to expand co-operation further, and regular engagement between our business communities helps to identify opportunities, address challenges, and promote mutually beneficial outcomes.”

The forum will also explore investment opportunities across various sectors as both countries work towards sustainable industrialisation.

Additionally, tourism co-operation will be strengthened under the “One Destination, Two Nations” initiative, which promotes Zimbabwe and Zambia as a single tourism destination, leveraging shared attractions such as Victoria Falls.

Tourism collaboration presents an opportunity for both countries to increase tourist arrivals and diversify tourism offerings.

The business forum complements the work of the Zimbabwe-Zambia Bi-National Commission (BNC), which replaces the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation.

The BNC elevates bilateral relations to Head-of-State level, with agreements expected in trade facilitation, transport, investment promotion, energy cooperation, and environmental management. The forum’s private sector-led approach ensures that discussions at government level are supported by practical business engagements.