Zimbabwe’s exports to its northern neighbour, Zambia, have surged past the US$57 million mark, propelled by a growing appetite for locally manufactured goods and a strategic push towards value addition under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) industrialisation agenda.

 

The remarkable trade performance, recorded over the same period last year, has been a central talking point at the ongoing Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show in Lusaka, where a 26-strong contingent of Zimbabwean firms is showcasing everything from agro-processed foods to textiles and building materials.

 

The pavilion, organised by the country’s trade development agency, ZimTrade, has become a bustling hub of commercial activity, signalling a significant vote of confidence in Zimbabwe’s production capacity.

 

The data, released this Saturday, underscores a pivotal shift: local manufacturers are no longer just surviving; they are thriving on the back of a deliberate policy to boost industrial output, which has seen capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector climb to over 60 percent.

 

The palpable energy at the Zimbabwean stand suggests that the export growth is not a statistical anomaly but a tangible reality.

 

Exhibitors, many of whom have been returning to the Lusaka show for years, point to a fundamental change in consumer perception.

 

There is a clear and growing interest in the quality of goods produced under Zimbabwe’s industrialisation blueprint, which has emphasised rigorous standards and competitive pricing.

 

Mrs Theodora Kadzinga, a local exhibitor in the agro-processing value chain, said that the scope for expansion is immense.

 

She noted that the current settings at the trade fair are highly promising, with numerous opportunities waiting to be harnessed.

 

In her view, it is only a matter of time before the current export figures are dwarfed by even greater volumes, given the substantial interest that Zambian buyers are showing in the quality and reliability of Zimbabwean products.

 

She further elaborated that the industrialisation agenda has been instrumental in shifting the narrative from a reliance on primary commodities to a focus on finished, high-quality goods that command better prices and build lasting brand loyalty.

 

Echoing this sentiment, another prominent exhibitor, Mr Onward Marumura, who operates in the building and textiles sector, emphasised that the focus has now shifted entirely to growth prospects.

 

He explained that the Zambian market is ripe for the taking, and the existing opportunities are vast.

 

However, he stressed that the key to realising immediate benefits lies in fully tapping into this market’s potential.

 

This is particularly critical, he added, as the broader SADC industrialisation agenda is intrinsically linked to expanding intra-regional exports, and Zimbabwe is well-positioned to lead that charge.

 

The robust growth in exports is being hailed as a direct reflection of strengthening bilateral economic ties between Harare and Lusaka.

 

The two nations have committed to a series of trade protocols designed to eliminate bottlenecks and encourage the free flow of goods, a commitment that was reinforced during the inaugural Bi-National Commission held in Harare last year.

 

Speaking on the sidelines of the show, ZimTrade Board Member, Mr Andrew Magandiwa, highlighted the strategic importance of these trade agreements.

 

He pointed out that the bilateral protocols are specifically linked to boosting exports, and it is imperative for relevant authorities in both economies to maintain their focus on increasing trade.

 

He described bilateral trade as a pillar for future growth, suggesting that the current trajectory is just the beginning of what could be a transformative economic partnership.

 

He further noted that the two governments have already agreed to remove non-tariff barriers to consolidate their cordial economic relations.

 

The Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show, he added, has served as a powerful confidence-building platform, proving that Zimbabwean products can compete effectively in the regional market.

 

The increased business activity at the Zimbabwean pavilion is a testament to this, as Zambian buyers and regional business leaders converge to explore partnerships.

 

As the annual fair continues to bring together regional business leaders, government officials, and economic decision-makers, the focus remains on sustained agro-industrial growth-oriented policies.

 

The participation of 26 Zimbabwean companies across agro-processing, textiles, clothing, and building value chains demonstrates the diversity of the country’s export basket.

 

The success story unfolding in Lusaka is a clear indicator that the industrialisation agenda is beginning to bear fruit, creating a virtuous cycle of increased production, job creation, and export earnings.

 

With both governments resolved to accelerate the implementation of trade and economic cooperation agreements, the US$57 million figure may soon be a milestone of the past, as Zimbabwe sets its sights on an even larger slice of the Zambian and broader regional market.

 

For now, the message from the show floor is unequivocal: Zimbabwe is open for business, and its neighbours are taking notice.