Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
ZIMTRADE is today hosting an international buyers’ seminar in Bulawayo, bringing together Zimbabwean exporters and foreign buyers in an engagement aimed at securing export orders, widening market access and building long-term business partnerships.
The seminar is part of the 2026 Export Week programme, with two further engagements scheduled for Harare on November 4 and 6, as Zimbabwe seeks to translate international demand into increased exports, production and foreign currency earnings.
The seminars will bring together 15 international buyers from the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Poland, Mozambique, Zambia, Rwanda, Angola and Eswatini to engage local companies and explore potential business opportunities.
The selection of participating countries was informed by demand for Zimbabwean products, existing trade relationships and market intelligence, reflecting efforts to broaden the country’s export footprint.
Regional markets offer opportunities for Zimbabwean businesses to strengthen trade under the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) frameworks.
European and Asian markets, meanwhile, provide opportunities to diversify export destinations and increase trade in higher-value products.
The targeted sectors include horticulture, processed foods, fast-moving consumer goods, leather and textiles, building materials, engineering products and other manufactured goods.
According to the programme, the seminar will feature presentations by ZimTrade chief executive officer Mr Allan Mujuru, Mr Ebuka Okaja, Assistant Manager for Trade Facilitation and Investment Promotion under the Africa Buyers Programme, and a representative from Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe.
All the international buyers will also make presentations on their respective markets and business interests.
The engagements come as Zimbabwe seeks to strengthen its export capacity, diversify sources of foreign currency and deepen its participation in regional and international value chains.
Interviews with participating buyers at the weekend revealed strong interest in establishing lasting business relationships with Zimbabwean companies, raising prospects for expanded market access.
The buyers expressed eagerness to engage local exporters and explore opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships.
The seminars are expected to provide a platform for local businesses to showcase their products, understand international market requirements and establish commercial links with potential buyers.
For Zimbabwean exporters, the engagements offer an opportunity to turn market interest into concrete business deals while strengthening the country’s position as a supplier of competitive products to regional and global markets.
