Business Correspondent
Zimbabwean exporters are seeking to deepen their foothold in Mozambique as local companies prepare to showcase their products and services at the Maputo International Trade Fair (FACIM) 2026 next week.
The annual trade exhibition, which runs from August 31 to September 6, is expected to provide Zimbabwean businesses with opportunities to secure new buyers, distributors and strategic partnerships in one of the country’s key regional markets.
Zimbabwe’s exports to Mozambique rose by four percent from US$255.1 million in 2024 to US$266.2 million last year, highlighting the growing importance of the neighbouring country to Zimbabwe’s export sector.
The country’s trade development and promotion agency, ZimTrade, will lead a delegation of local companies to FACIM under a dedicated Zimbabwe Pavilion, bringing together businesses from a range of sectors.
Products expected to be showcased include manufactured goods, agricultural commodities, processed foods, building materials, engineering solutions, arts and crafts and other export-ready products.
ZimTrade chief executive officer Allan Majuru said FACIM presented an important opportunity for Zimbabwean companies to expand their presence in the Mozambican market.
“Our participation at FACIM is about creating linkages that place Zimbabwe firmly at the centre of regional trade routes,” Majuru said.
“FACIM continues to open real, actionable opportunities for Zimbabwean exporters and the strengthened relations between our two countries make this the right time for businesses to engage the Mozambican market directly.”
Majuru said Mozambique remained an attractive destination for Zimbabwean exporters because of its geographical proximity, established trade links and demand for competitively priced regional products.
He urged Zimbabwean companies to understand the requirements of Mozambican buyers and ensure their products were competitively priced, reliable and suited to the market.
Buyers in Maputo, Beira and Tete have demonstrated confidence in Zimbabwean products, providing a foundation for local companies seeking to expand their market share, he said.
FACIM has grown into one of southern Africa’s major trade exhibitions, attracting more than 50 000 visitors, including investors, buyers, policymakers, exhibitors and senior business executives.
The 2026 edition comes as Zimbabwe and Mozambique seek to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties.
The two countries held their inaugural Bi-National Commission in November last year, where they agreed on measures aimed at improving the movement of goods and people between the neighbouring countries.
Among the initiatives under consideration are the establishment of a dry port along the Beira Corridor, modernisation of the fuel pipeline and development of a one-stop border post at Forbes-Machipanda.
The governments have also committed to addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers in line with Southern African Development Community and African Continental Free Trade Area protocols.
For Zimbabwean exporters, improved trade infrastructure and reduced barriers could lower the cost of accessing the Mozambican market while creating opportunities to increase exports.
Beyond promoting products, FACIM will allow Zimbabwean companies to gather market intelligence, assess consumer preferences and identify emerging opportunities, while also reviewing their pricing, packaging and product specifications against regional competitors.
Previous participation by Zimbabwean companies under the ZimTrade Pavilion has resulted in export orders, distributorship agreements, strategic partnerships and market enquiries, according to ZimTrade.
The latest push comes as Zimbabwe seeks to increase annual exports by at least 10 percent for goods and 15 percent for services under its Vision 2030 economic development agenda.
With Mozambique already among Zimbabwe’s key trading partners, exporters are hoping FACIM 2026 will help convert the growing bilateral relationship into increased business and export earnings.
