Online Reporter
Business Reporter
Zimbabwean companies looking to expand their presence in South Africa have an opportunity to connect with potential buyers, distributors and investors at the South Africa–Zimbabwe Business Forum in Pretoria on August 21, 2026.
The forum, to be held on the sidelines of the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission, is being convened under the theme, “Catalysing Economic Resilience: Strategic Trade and Investment Partnerships for the Future.”
It will bring together businesses, investors, government institutions and trade-support organisations from both countries to explore opportunities for expanding trade, investment and industrial cooperation.
These connections have supported supply chains across agriculture, mining, manufacturing and other productive sectors, providing a platform for businesses to deepen bilateral trade and investment.
The forum comes as Zimbabwe seeks to diversify and strengthen its export markets, with opportunities emerging to reposition the bilateral relationship towards greater value addition, industrial integration and stronger business-to-business linkages.
Discussions will focus on practical challenges and opportunities affecting companies trading between the two markets, including transport and logistics along the Beitbridge trade corridor, cross-border value chains, manufacturing integration, capital equipment, technology transfer and opportunities created by regional and continental trade agreements.
“South Africa remains one of Zimbabwe’s most important trading partners and its largest source of imports. The two countries are connected by established road and rail networks, longstanding commercial relationships and supply chains spanning agriculture, mining, manufacturing and other productive sectors.
“These existing linkages provide a strong base from which businesses can pursue new opportunities,” said ZimTrade in a media communique.
A major component of the forum will be business-to-business engagements, allowing Zimbabwean companies to interact directly with South African exporters, investors and potential commercial partners.
The engagements are expected to facilitate market entry, distribution partnerships, sourcing arrangements, investment and broader commercial collaboration.
Companies operating in processed foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, clothing and textiles, steel products, household and electrical goods, agricultural inputs, services and leather products are among those encouraged to participate.
Zimbabwean exporters already trading with South Africa will also have an opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and identify new avenues for growth.
For companies seeking to enter the South African market, the forum is expected to provide direct access to businesses and institutions that can help convert market opportunities into practical commercial partnerships.
The gathering is therefore expected to reinforce the role of private-sector partnerships in expanding bilateral trade while supporting Zimbabwe’s broader export diversification and industrial development objectives.
South Africa remains one of Zimbabwe’s primary and overall largest trading partners.
It is Zimbabwe’s leading single source of imported goods (accounting for over 30 percent of total imports) and accounts for a massive share of regional bilateral trade.
In 2025, bilateral trade between Zimbabwe and South Africa resulted in a significant trade surplus for South Africa, with Zimbabwe importing approximately US$3,8 billion (R62.4 billion) worth of goods, while South Africa’s imports from Zimbabwe stood at roughly US$454 million
