This year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) witnessed a significant milestone in regional economic cooperation with a high-level Business-to-Business (B2B) session between Zimbabwean and Mozambican enterprises. The dynamic platform, which drew stakeholders from both nations, spotlighted the growing importance of cross-border trade and investment, focusing on leveraging Mozambique’s strategic ports — Beira, Maputo, and Nacala — as gateways to expanding regional markets.
Key Focus Areas: Agriculture and Energy
As two key sectors of focus, agriculture and energy were at the heart of discussions during the session. These industries, which are pivotal to both countries’ economic growth, offer vast opportunities for collaboration and value chain enhancement. The aim was to explore ways to build resilient agricultural systems and ensure sustainable energy access for the region.
Zimbabwe and Mozambique share many synergies, particularly in the areas of agriculture, where both countries have rich agricultural landscapes and growing export markets. Mozambique’s access to the Indian Ocean through its ports gives Zimbabwean farmers and producers a strategic advantage in accessing international markets.
ZimTrade and APIEX Lead Dialogue
Allan Majuru, the CEO of ZimTrade, played a key role in setting the tone of the discussions. Majuru highlighted the importance of creating regional value chains and export pathways that could strengthen the economic ties between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. His insights into export market access emphasized the need for both nations to harness their resources and infrastructure to increase competitiveness on the global stage.
APIEX (Mozambique’s Investment and Export Promotion Agency) also presented at the session, reinforcing Mozambique’s commitment to open investment policies and regional partnerships. APIEX’s presentation focused on creating an enabling environment for investors in both the agriculture and energy sectors, and how businesses could leverage Mozambique’s well-connected ports to penetrate international markets.
ZIDA Showcases Zimbabwe’s Investment Landscape
The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) outlined the investment opportunities available within Zimbabwe, showcasing the country’s improving investment climate. ZIDA’s presentation focused on various sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and infrastructure, providing Mozambican businesses with detailed insights on how they can expand into Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s investment landscape, bolstered by supportive policies and regional trade agreements, was presented as a promising opportunity for foreign enterprises.
Real-World Trade Experiences and Networking
One of the session’s highlights was the series of practical trade experiences shared by exporters from both Zimbabwe and Mozambique. These firsthand accounts provided valuable insights on how businesses have navigated the complexities of bilateral trade, offering practical tips on overcoming logistical, financial, and regulatory barriers. This open exchange of experiences allowed both sides to learn from each other’s successes and challenges in facilitating smoother trade and cross-border partnerships.
To wrap up the session, a focused B2B networking platform was set up, allowing businesses to connect directly with potential partners. This collaborative space fostered discussions about future partnerships and reinforced the shared vision of economic integration and mutual prosperity between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The networking session laid the foundation for tangible collaborations, with businesses from both countries poised to take advantage of the opportunities created through improved trade relations.
Conclusion: A Step Forward in Regional Economic Integration
This year’s B2B session at ZITF 2025 was a significant leap forward in regional economic integration. The event highlighted the importance of fostering cross-border trade and investment partnerships that will ultimately benefit both Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The emphasis on agriculture and energy, two vital sectors for the region, set the stage for more collaborative efforts between the two nations. The open dialogue and networking opportunities provided businesses with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive global market.
As the two nations continue to strengthen their economic ties, there is no doubt that the Zimbabwe-Mozambique partnership will play a pivotal role in driving growth and prosperity for both countries and the Southern African region as a whole.
