Online Reporter
Michael Tome
Business Reporter
ZimTrade intends to establish an in-market warehouse in Kasumbalesa, Zambia, a strategic location bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to promote export growth and diversification of the country’s export basket.
This move is a strategic effort to tap into the vast market opportunities in Zambia and the DRC.
According to Similo Nkala, ZimTrade’s operations director, the in-market warehouse will serve as a central point for Zimbabwean exports to both countries.
An in-market warehouse is a logistics facility strategically located within or very close to a specific, high-demand consumer market.
Its primary purpose is to move inventory closer to the end customer to enable faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective order fulfillment and delivery.
The in-market warehouse is expected to improve Zimbabwe’s export competitiveness and ZimTrade has already engaged several companies in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, which have shown interest in the initiative.
DRC and Zambia are significant markets for Zimbabwean Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) products, and this move is expected to enhance entry into these markets.
Additionally, the high demand for building and construction materials in the DRC and Zambia presents opportunities for Zimbabwean suppliers.
The two countries’ focus on food self-sufficiency also creates scope for Zimbabwe to supply agricultural seeds, inputs, and implements.
While the project is still in progress, ZimTrade is optimistic that the in-market warehouse will be operational by the end of next year.
This development is expected to open up new avenues for Zimbabwean businesses to expand their exports and strengthen trade ties with Zambia and the DRC.
The establishment of the in-market warehouse is a strategic move to capitalise on the growing demand for various products in Zambia and the DRC.
Zimbabwean businesses can take advantage of this opportunity to increase their exports and diversify their product basket, ultimately contributing to the country’s economic growth.
