Zimbabwe Deepens Trade Ties with Zambia at 97th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show

Zimbabwe is reinforcing its trade and economic engagement with Zambia by actively participating in the 97th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show (ZACS), which commenced on Wednesday in Lusaka. As the largest multi-sectoral trade event in Zambia, ZACS provides a critical platform for regional commercial exchange—and Zimbabwe is seizing the opportunity to bolster its footprint.

Led by the national trade development and promotion agency, ZimTrade, the Zimbabwean delegation comprises 25 export-ready companies representing a wide array of sectors including agricultural inputs, safety gear, industrial machinery, processed foods, leather products, fast-moving consumer goods, mining supplies, and business services.

ZACS 2025 is being held under the theme “Adapting to Climate Change,” a focus that aligns closely with the priorities of both nations as they seek to build more resilient, sustainable industries. Zimbabwe’s strong presence at the show underlines its commitment to promoting regional collaboration while positioning its products and services to meet emerging market needs.

According to ZimTrade, interest in the Zimbabwean pavilion has been high, with business leaders, buyers, and government officials engaging actively with exhibitors. “These businesses represent a range of sectors. It’s thrilling to see our stand full of people with interest in our products. We are looking forward to fruitful engagements,” said the organisation in a statement.

The trade relationship between Zimbabwe and Zambia is among the most dynamic in Southern Africa. Zambia remains one of Zimbabwe’s top trading partners, ranking fourth within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and maintaining strong bilateral links under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) framework.

This close economic alignment is bolstered by geographic proximity, shared infrastructure, and similar policy environments, all of which have contributed to consistent growth in cross-border trade. ZimTrade highlighted that its participation in ZACS is part of a broader strategy to sustain visibility in key regional markets and support long-term export development.

ZimTrade Operations Director Mr Similo Nkala reaffirmed the organisation’s dedication to creating structured avenues for local businesses to access new markets. “We want to give Zimbabwean products and services opportunities to market themselves beyond our borders. ZACS 2025 represents one of those opportunities—an opening into a regional marketplace where there is strong demand for our offerings,” he said.

Over the years, Zimbabwe has built a strong track record at ZACS, becoming a consistent presence that signals long-term interest in regional trade partnerships. This year’s participation continues that legacy, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s vision to be an active contributor to regional industrial development.

ZACS itself has become an increasingly influential platform for both public and private sector actors across the region. With exhibitions spanning sectors such as renewable energy, agro-processing, ICT, mechanisation, and climate-smart agriculture, the show plays a vital role in promoting sustainable industrial cooperation across Southern Africa.

As the six-day event continues in Lusaka, Zimbabwe’s participation highlights not only the strength of its export offerings but also its growing ambition to lead in regional economic integration and sustainable development.