Zimbabwe eyes COMESA export boom

ZIMBABWE is sitting on a potentially lucrative regional export market after new figures showed that the country’s exports to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) recovered to US$222 million last year, against US$13 billion in total intra-bloc trade.

The figures, contained in a latest ZimTrade Zimbabwe-COMESA Trade Brief, expose the huge headroom for Zimbabwean companies to increase their share of the regional market as the country prepares to host the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit next month.

Zimbabwe’s exports to COMESA rose 10,4 percent from US$200,9 million in 2024, but remained below the US$229,5 million recorded in 2023.
With Zimbabwe expected to assume the COMESA chairmanship for the next 12 months, the trade figures have placed the spotlight on the country’s ability to translate its regional leadership into increased exports, investment and industrial growth.

“Despite Zimbabwe’s export recovery, its share of overall intra-COMESA trade remains marginal, highlighting the substantial untapped potential for Zimbabwe to expand its market presence within the region,” said ZimTrade.

The latest figures suggest that Zimbabwe has yet to fully exploit the COMESA market, which brings together more than 20 countries and provides access to hundreds of millions of consumers.
While Zimbabwe’s exports have fluctuated significantly in recent years, intra-COMESA trade itself has also been under pressure.

Total exports within the bloc increased from US$15 billion in 2021 to US$18 billion in 2023 before declining to US$14 billion in 2024 and US$13 billion last year, a 28 percent drop from the 2023 peak.

ZimTrade attributed the decline to factors including macro-economic pressures, foreign currency shortages, rising inflation and a possible shift towards markets outside the bloc.
For Zimbabwe, however, the figures point to an opportunity to increase its regional footprint at a time when the Government is pushing for export-led growth, industrialisation, value addition and beneficiation under its Vision 2030 agenda.

“Zimbabwe’s participation in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) represents a critical pathway toward economic diversification, regional market access, and industrial competitiveness,” said ZimTrade.

“As COMESA continues to promote trade liberalisation, regional value chains, and digital integration, Zimbabwe stands to benefit immensely by scaling up its manufactured and value-added exports.”

ZimTrade said Zimbabwe needed to go beyond traditional exports and strengthen its participation in regional production chains.
The country’s leading exports to COMESA include tobacco in various forms, coal and coal-based fuels, maize, paperboard and cartons, and sugar.

There are, however, signs that Zimbabwe’s export basket is beginning to diversify.
Iron and steel bars re-emerged in the export mix last year after a three-year absence, while manufactured tobacco and packaging products recorded significant increases.

The developments are seen as important for Zimbabwe’s industrialisation drive as the country seeks to increase the export of processed and manufactured goods rather than relying heavily on raw commodities.

Zambia remains Zimbabwe’s dominant export market in COMESA, accounting for US$131,4 million of exports last year, although this was down from US$146 million in 2024.
The strong trade relationship is largely driven by geographical proximity, established transport routes and longstanding economic ties between the two countries.

But the concentration of exports in a few markets also points to the need for Zimbabwean companies to diversify their regional customer base.
Kenya, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi have emerged as important destinations, although trade with some of these markets has been volatile.

Exports to Kenya rose to US$29,8 million in 2023 before dropping to US$10,6 million in 2024 and recovering to US$20,1 million last year.
Zimbabwe’s exports to Egypt also rose sharply from US$90 000 in 2020 to US$14,6 million in 2024 before falling to US$6,7 million last year.

The DRC presents another promising market, with exports reaching US$16,8 million in 2025 after falling to US$7,5 million in 2024.
Malawi has recorded stronger and more consistent growth, with Zimbabwean exports rising from US$3,3 million in 2020 to US$20,3 million last year.

However, the collapse in exports to some markets demonstrates the need for Zimbabwe to strengthen market intelligence, production capacity and trade infrastructure.
Exports to Uganda, for example, plunged from US$127,2 million in 2020 to less than US$20 000 in both 2024 and 2025.

ZimTrade said Zimbabwe could use COMESA platforms to rebuild lost markets while opening new ones.
“Active engagement in COMESA platforms such as the Business Forum and Trade Exhibitions allows Zimbabwe to strengthen its regional footprint, foster strategic partnerships, and position itself as a key player in Africa’s economic transformation agenda,” said ZimTrade.

The upcoming COMESA Summit is expected to provide a major platform for Zimbabwean businesses to engage potential buyers and investors from across the region.
The Summit theme, “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA”, dovetails with Zimbabwe’s push to expand manufacturing, increase exports and strengthen regional value chains.

ZimTrade said the country would need to address constraints affecting production and exports if it is to turn the regional opportunity into sustained economic growth.
“To fully leverage COMESA’s opportunities, Zimbabwe must continue to invest in production capacity, trade infrastructure, and policy alignment, thereby ensuring inclusive, export-led growth in the years ahead,” said ZimTrade.

The challenge now is for Zimbabwe to use its chairmanship to move beyond hosting a high-profile regional meeting and secure tangible economic gains.
These include opening new markets for Zimbabwean products, increasing manufactured exports, attracting investment into productive sectors, strengthening regional supply chains and helping SMEs enter regional markets.

With intra-COMESA trade having fallen to US$13 billion last year, Zimbabwe’s US$222 million contribution remains modest.
But for local producers, the gap represents an opportunity.

The immediate task is to convert the country’s political influence within COMESA into stronger commercial linkages and ensure that Zimbabwean companies capture a bigger share of the regional market.