Johnson Progress

Zimbabwean companies are making a significant impact at the ongoing Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show (ZACS) in Lusaka, drawing commendations from buyers for the quality of their products and services.

Facilitated by Zimbabwe’s trade promotion agency, ZimTrade, over 25 firms are showcasing their offerings at the prestigious 97th edition of the event.

The core objective for the Zimbabwean delegation, according to ZimTrade, is to solidify and increase the local industry’s market share within Zambia.

ZimTrade Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Allan Majuru reported highly promising initial engagement levels at the fair.

Majuru highlighted a notable surge in buyer interest, stating, “The first days of the fair have seen encouraging levels of engagement, with a notable rise in the number of buyers expressing interest in Zimbabwean products.”

He further emphasized building on past success, adding: “We are riding on the successes of the previous year to further boost engagement between our exhibitors and potential buyers. This year’s exhibition has reinforced the growing perception that Zimbabwe produces top-quality goods, and the response from the buyers has generally been positive as well.”

Zimbabwean exhibitors themselves expressed strong confidence in leveraging the event to deepen trade ties with Zambia, fueled by evident market demand.

Catherine Mafuku, Chief Executive Officer of Kokota Spread, pointed to the positive reception as a key indicator for growth.

Mafuku noted the quality perception creates fertile ground for increased trade, explaining: “There is a positive perception about the quality of goods on offer, an indication of interest to further bolster trade given the rise in demand for locally produced goods, and what the market needs is just that platform to further maximise on current strides in terms of capacity utilisation.”

Echoing the sentiment regarding production potential and market understanding, Walter Benesi, Operations Manager at Acsend Concrete, underscored the event’s strategic value.

Benesi described the buyer response as validation of Zimbabwe’s industrial capabilities, adding: “It is a real testimony that the Zimbabwean industry has what it takes to scale up production, given the need to diversify markets and ramp up production. Such a platform like this one is a noble idea, as it also enables us to understand the market dynamics in Zambia, with the overall idea being on increased markets.”

The annual Zambia Agriculture and Commercial Show has become an increasingly vital platform for Zimbabwean businesses seeking regional expansion in recent years, providing direct access to buyers and invaluable insights into neighbouring market dynamics.

This year’s participation underscores Zimbabwe’s concerted push to grow its export footprint within Southern Africa.