Online Reporter
Judith Phiri
Zimpapers Business Hub
ZIMBABWE’S trade development and promotion organisation, ZimTrade, is facilitating the participation of 25 Zimbabwean companies at the Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show 2026 in Lusaka.
The exhibition, scheduled for July 29 to August 3, is expected to attract more than 1 300 exhibitors and over 200 000 visitors from more than 20 countries, providing Zimbabwean businesses with a platform to engage buyers, distributors, agents and investors from across the region.
Zimbabwean exporters will seek new market opportunities in Zambia and the wider Southern African region.
This forms part of various initiatives ZimTrade is pursuing to promote Zimbabwe’s export-led economic agenda, including connecting local businesses with global buyers.
In terms of its National Export Strategy, Zimbabwe aims to grow exports by an average of 10 percent per annum.
Zimbabwe’s export earnings surged past the US$9 billion mark to reach an estimated US$9.7 billion in 2025.
In an update, ZimTrade said companies from various sectors, including agricultural inputs and equipment, processed foods, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), building materials, services and light industrial products, will participate under its coordinated national participation.
“The companies that will participate include 13 from processed foods, five from services/ICT, four from clothing and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), two from leather and leather goods and one from the agricultural inputs and implements sector,” said the organisation.
“The show is regarded as one of Southern Africa’s largest and most established multi-sector trade exhibitions, bringing together players from agribusiness, manufacturing, commerce, services, public institutions and development organisations.”
ZimTrade said that for Zimbabwean exporters, the event provides direct access to the Zambian market, one of the country’s key regional trading partners.
The event also offers opportunities to establish business links that can open access to other markets within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
“Zimbabwe has maintained a strong presence at the exhibition over the years, with local companies securing distribution agreements, agency partnerships and long-term supply contracts. Some firms have also used the platform to establish a permanent presence in Zambia and strengthen their participation in local supply chains.”
ZimTrade said previous editions of the exhibition have generated demand for Zimbabwean agricultural inputs and machinery, processed foods, FMCG products, industrial equipment and construction-related products.
The organisation said product demonstrations have remained a key feature of the show, particularly for agricultural machinery and technical solutions, allowing potential buyers to assess product performance and suitability for the market.
“The proximity of the two countries, coupled with established transport links and trade facilitation measures such as the Chirundu One-Stop Border Post, continues to make Zambia an attractive export destination for Zimbabwean companies.
“Shared consumer preferences, similar agricultural systems and long-standing commercial ties between the two countries have also contributed to the acceptance of Zimbabwean products in the Zambian market,” added ZimTrade.
ZimTrade said participating companies have been encouraged to leverage the exhibition to identify new business opportunities, strengthen existing relationships and explore prospects for sustained export growth.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean companies in the agriculture, building and construction services sectors participated in a Services Business Mission to Zambia from June 09 to 12, 2026.
The mission, organised by ZimTrade, intensified efforts to grow the country’s services exports and strengthen regional trade ties.
During the programme held at the InterContinental Hotel in Lusaka, over 31 Zimbabwean companies engaged potential buyers, partners and investors in Zambia.
The initiative targeted export-ready firms in agriculture services as well as building and construction-related services, including small to medium enterprises (SMEs), women and youth-led enterprises with the capacity to supply the Zambian market.
The mission followed a successful exploratory visit conducted last year, which identified strong business opportunities for Zimbabwean companies in Zambia’s building and construction sector.
The impact of the mission was immediate and commercially significant, with participating Zimbabwean firms recording confirmed orders worth US$13,4 million, alongside an additional US$25,8 million in orders currently under negotiation.
ZimTrade said these figures reveal the strong appetite in Zambia for the specialised skills Zimbabwean companies offer.
Bongani Ndlovu