Online ReporterGolden Sibanda in Maputo, Mozambique
ZimTrade is confident that local companies exhibiting at the ongoing Mozambique Agriculture, Commercial and Industrial Fair (FACIM) will strike lucrative deals, amid significant inquiries from prospective buyers.
The national trade promotion and development body has facilitated the participation of more than 14 firms, including leather and footwear maker Tripletree Limited, piping systems manufacturer Proplastics Limited, ethical health and wellness firm House of Moringa, and leather products company Samuneti Leathers.
Life assurer Nyaradzo, car battery maker Chroride Express, agro-processor Niallah Foods, National Railways of Zimbabwe, engineering firm Powerdrive, medical gases supplier Verify Engineering, as well as Chif jewellery producer African Jewells, are also part of the Zimbabwean contingent.
The efforts align with the objectives of the Zimbabwe National Export Strategy, which aims to increase national exports of goods and services by at least 10 percent annually, from $4,5 billion in 2018 to $14 billion by 2030, helping the country to achieve its vision of an upper-middle-income status.
ZimTrade export promotion manager, Mrs Vuyiswa Mafu, said there had been significant interest and inquiries from prospective buyers charmed by the high quality of Zimbabwean products during the exhibition, which started on 25 August and ends on 31 August 2025.
“We are at the Mozambique Agriculture, Commercial and Industrial Fair, with more than 14 companies from various sectors. As you might know, Mozambique is one of our major trading partners in the region. This is not only because they are a major outlet for our exports to the rest of the world, but Mozambique is a huge market for our products in its own right.
“So, we export several manufactured products in this market, with more than 14 companies that we have here. For us at ZimTrade, we believe this market offers so much potential for us as a country. The participating companies have been meeting a number of potential clients for partnerships, to market their products and to sell their products to them,” Mrs Mafu said.
Given the significant interest in the Zimbabwean products, Mrs Mafu said the expectations were that the participating companies would secure significant orders for their products.
“That contributes to the country’s economic growth, through the foreign currency that they will earn, because for some, the argument is that why go out there to the export markets when the companies can get foreign currency within Zimbabwe. But we believe that new money, forex that they bring into the country, contributes to the economic growth of Zimbabwe, so, that is why they are looking to get export orders from the clients and prospective buyers,” she said.
The 2025 exhibition builds on other trade facilitation programmes that ZimTrade has organised in Mozambique this year, such as the Beira Outward Mission, which provided an opportunity for Zimbabwean firms to engage directly with Mozambican distributors and wholesalers.
ZimTrade chief executive Mr Allan Majuru earlier said the trade promotion body was leveraging the successes recorded during the Beira Outward Seller Mission, where it organised for local exporters to link and connect with businesses in the market.
“Buyers in Maputo, Beira and Tete have continued to express confidence in Zimbabwean products, citing their quality, durability and reliable supply compared to competing imports,” he said.
Mr Majuru added that Zimbabwe is targeting multi-million dollar deals at this year’s programme, riding on the success achieved in previous editions, where companies secured firm orders and expanded their presence in the Mozambican market.
This year’s FACIM comes at a time when demand is on an upward trajectory, giving local firms a strong foundation on which to secure business deals.
The platform also provides an opportunity for Zimbabwean businesses to benchmark their products against competitors from other countries, learn about market requirements and build the confidence needed to expand further.
For small and medium enterprises in particular, the exposure to international buyers helps in refining their operations, improving branding and aligning products with export standards.
Zimbabwe’s participation at FACIM is part of a wider export growth strategy being championed under the Second Republic.
The Government’s economic diplomacy drive has prioritised neighbouring markets, where Zimbabwean companies enjoy the advantages of proximity and shared infrastructure.
