By Aldridge Dzvene | Positive Eye News
Trade relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique are gaining fresh momentum, with this week’s high-level Zimbabwe–Mozambique Trade Conference in Beira setting the stage for expanded business partnerships, cross-border investments, and industrial collaboration.
Held on Wednesday, the forum attracted a wide cross-section of business stakeholders and government officials, with both nations reaffirming their commitment to economic integration, driven by shared opportunities in agriculture, logistics, construction, energy, and agro-processing.
Mozambican firms expressed significant interest in tapping into Zimbabwe’s strong agricultural base and technical expertise. From plans to import dairy products and processed foods to proposals for joint ventures in logistics and fish exports, the Beira conference became a hive of real-time trade dealmaking.
“As a Mozambican businessperson, I already have investments in Zimbabwe and am looking for deeper partnerships. Zimbabwe excels in agriculture, and I plan to bring Zimbabwean technicians here to grow this sector together,” one Mozambican entrepreneur shared. Another noted plans to start exporting prawns to Harare, while highlighting Zimbabwe’s capacity in dairy and food processing.
On the other side of the border, Zimbabwean businesses are increasingly eyeing Mozambique’s infrastructure growth, especially around the Beira Corridor, a critical trade gateway for Southern Africa.
“There’s enormous potential here in Mozambique, especially for transporters and construction suppliers,” said one Zimbabwean participant. JB Holdings, a conveyor belt manufacturer in Zimbabwe already active in Zambia and Botswana, confirmed plans to explore the Mozambican market, citing potential partnerships with local industrial giants such as Tongaat Hulett.
ZimTrade’s Director for Operations, Mr Admire Jongwe, gave a detailed account of current trade dynamics, outlining how Mozambique has become Zimbabwe’s fourth largest export destination. He noted that in 2023, Zimbabwe exported goods worth US$400 million to Mozambique and imported US$300 million in return.
“Our economy is anchored on five sectors: manufacturing, agriculture, mining, energy, and tourism. With the commissioning of Manhize Steel Plant, Zimbabwe is poised to export more iron and steel products to Mozambique, which imported US$218 million worth of such materials in 2024 alone,” he said. “We’re also eyeing markets for processed foods, agricultural chemicals, horticultural produce, and construction inputs.”
The positive trade balance is being driven by a regional shift toward value addition, industrialisation, and intra-African trade, in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) objectives. The increasing volumes of exchange underscore a maturing partnership that goes beyond traditional trade in coffee, spices, and fruits.
The government of Zimbabwe, represented by Advocate Misheck Mugadza, head of the trade mission and Minister of State for Manicaland, applauded the conference outcomes and affirmed that Harare will continue to scale up regional trade diplomacy.
“We are excited by the level of interest and participation. We are taking these trade missions beyond Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, and other regional partners are next. The momentum we’ve seen here must translate into increased trade flows, job creation, and mutual economic growth,” he said.
As regional trade continues to evolve from basic commodity exchange toward sophisticated industrial cooperation, events like the Beira Conference offer a blueprint for African-led development, where neighbours work together to unlock shared prosperity, build resilient economies, and empower local industries.
From Beira to Harare, the message is clear: strategic partnerships, regional unity, and economic vision are the new currency of growth in Southern Africa.
