Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
A cross-section of traders, predominantly from the export sector and government officials, have gathered in Bulawayo for the annual ZimTrade Exporters Conference and Awards, a key platform for shaping the country’s trade trajectory.
The event, under the theme ìRooted Locally,
Growing Globally,î will focus on building Zimbabwean export competitiveness by leveraging
domestic strengths for international success.
The pivotal engagement comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s export sector is entering 2026 on a firmer footing, buoyed by sustained policy support, improving production conditions and deliberate Government efforts to align trade, diplomacy and industrial development.
For instance, according to Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) cumulative export earnings for January to November 2025 reached US$8,57 billion, representing a 27 percent increase from US$6,74 billion recorded over the same period in 2024.
Improved export performance contributed to a significant narrowing of the trade deficit, which declined by 69 percent from US$2,1 billion in 2024 to US$644 million in the period under review.
October 2025 marked a notable milestone, with exports reaching US$1 billion in a single month.
According to Zimtrade, these figures point to growing traction in export performance and provide a platform on which planning for 2026 is proceeding, with attention shifting from recovery towards consolidation, diversification and wider participation across the economy.
The positive momentum is attributed to deliberate policy choices under President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic, which has positioned exports as a central pillar of economic recovery. Focus has been placed on value addition, improved market access and enhancing the competitiveness of local products on the global stage.
“The approach by the Second Republic reflects an understanding that durable growth will be anchored in the country’s capacity to produce for external markets, generate foreign currency and progressively narrow the import-export gap.
“A key component of this strategy has been the integration of economic objectives into foreign policy,” ZimTrade said in its January newsletter.
The conference carries significant economic weight, as exports remain a critical driver of foreign currency generation, industrialisation, job creation and macro-economic stability.
Rising export earnings have also contributed to narrowing the trade deficit, signalling steady progress towards a more balanced and resilient economy.
Beyond recognition of top-performing exporters, the event provides a strategic platform for direct engagement between exporters and national leadership on policies affecting trade and competitiveness.
Industry players are keen to see how deliberations, policy engagements and business-to-business networking sessions will translate into increased export volumes, deeper value addition and sustained growth in Zimbabwe’s trade performance going forward.
