Zimbabwe’s premier trade development platform, the ZimTrade Exporters Conference and Awards, has been rescheduled to take place on February 20, 2026, at the ZITF grounds in Bulawayo, under the theme “Rooted Locally, Growing Globally.” The event, which brings together the nation’s top exporters, policymakers, and industry leaders, underscores the country’s renewed emphasis on enhancing export competitiveness through strategic alignment of domestic production strengths with global market opportunities.
The rescheduling comes at a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe’s trade sector. Data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) reveals a significant surge in manufactured goods exports, with value-added products rising by 29 percent, from US$404 million in the January–November 2024 period to US$522 million during the same period in 2025. This growth trajectory reflects the country’s drive to move beyond raw commodity exports towards more sophisticated and globally competitive products.
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Book NowSpeaking on the rescheduling, Allan Majuru, CEO of ZimTrade, emphasised the need for a concerted national effort to consolidate and accelerate this momentum. “Strategic alignment between government policy and business execution is critical. This conference is the definitive platform to forge that collaboration and set our national export agenda for the year,” he said. The event is designed to provide a high-level dialogue between exporters and policymakers, offering a forum where practical strategies can be shared, challenges addressed, and national priorities communicated directly.
The 2026 conference will feature President Emmerson Mnangagwa as guest of honor and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Professor Amon Muriwa, among other senior government officials, highlighting the significance of the platform in shaping the country’s trade and industrialisation policy. The agenda will include forward-looking sessions delivered by internationally acclaimed speakers, including Dr Mitslal Kifleyesus-Matschie, Founder & CEO of Ecopia (Ethiopia), Mr Alex Musembi, Co-founder & General Manager of Africa Collect Textiles (Kenya), and Nicholas Mudungwe, Executive Director of Africa Leather & Leather Products Institute (Ethiopia). Their presentations are expected to offer actionable frameworks on integrating Zimbabwean exports into global value chains, adopting sustainable trade models, and leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence to drive export growth.
A highlight of the day-long programme will be the Exporters Awards Gala, recognising top-performing companies across a range of categories. From the SME Exporter of the Year to major sector champions, the awards aim to celebrate innovation, excellence, and resilience. Of particular note is the Intra-Africa Trade Award, introduced last year to encourage businesses participating in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), promoting regional commerce and positioning Zimbabwean exporters as key players in continental value chains. Majuru noted that the award recognises those who are transforming Zimbabwe’s trade profile by seizing opportunities in the regional market, thereby strengthening the country’s presence in Africa’s growing integrated economy.
For the Zimbabwean business community, the conference represents more than a ceremonial event. It provides a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and recognition, offering tangible benefits to exporters seeking to expand their footprint, innovate in value-added production, and integrate into competitive international markets. Beyond individual enterprise, the conference signals a broader national strategy to embed trade growth, industrialisation, and innovation at the heart of Zimbabwe’s economic transformation.
As preparations intensify for February 2026, expectations are high that the conference will reinforce Zimbabwe’s position as a dynamic player in regional and global trade, while equipping local exporters with the tools, insights, and recognition necessary to sustain growth in an increasingly competitive international marketplace.
