Online Reporter
Judith Phiri [email protected]
ZIMBABWEAN businesses looking to scale into new frontiers are set to gain a significant opportunity at the Zimbabwe-Uganda Business Forum set for March 17 in Harare.
The Zimbabwe-Uganda Business Forum, hosted by ZimTrade, working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Zimbabwe, will include buyers from Uganda actively seeking trade business within the local exporters.
In their latest newsletter, ZimTrade said strategic partnerships with Ugandan firms can ease entry into the market, assist with 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,” said the country’s trade and export vehicle.
“From Uganda, 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 stakeholders will include the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), 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 engagement, the Forum is 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,” added ZimTrade.
“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.”
The country’s trade and export vehicle said key products include iron and steel, mineral fuels and precious stones, among others, while the trend highlights how regional value chains and preferential trade arrangements are shaping sourcing patterns within the bloc.
As a COMESA member, Zimbabwe was well positioned to plug into these supply chains and local companies can take 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 operating environment further 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.”
