Zimbabwean exporters are set to strengthen their presence in Mozambique when they participate in the Maputo International Trade Fair (FACIM) 2026, scheduled to run from August 31 to September 6.
The annual exhibition is expected to provide local companies with a strategic platform to unlock new markets, secure buyers and forge business partnerships in one of Zimbabwe’s most important regional export destinations.
Mozambique’s premier multi-sector trade fair attracts businesses, investors, Government officials and buyers from across Africa and beyond, creating opportunities for exhibitors to expand their regional and international reach.
For Zimbabwean companies, participation comes at a time when economic relations between Harare and Maputo continue to grow, supported by efforts by both countries to facilitate trade and improve the ease of doing business across their shared border.
Mozambique remains one of Zimbabwe’s key trading partners and a significant market for locally manufactured and processed products.
The country’s growing importance to Zimbabwe’s export sector is reflected in recent trade figures. Zimbabwe’s exports to Mozambique increased by four percent, rising from
US$255,1 million in 2024 to US$266,2 million last year. Against this backdrop, ZimTrade, the country’s trade development and promotion agency, will lead a delegation of local companies to exhibit under a dedicated Zimbabwe Pavilion.
The pavilion will bring together businesses from various sectors under a unified national brand, supporting the country’s economic diplomacy agenda spearheaded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Products and services expected to be showcased include manufactured products, agricultural commodities, processed foods, building materials, engineering solutions, arts and crafts, as well as other export-ready offerings.
The participation also aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader export growth ambitions. The country is targeting annual export growth of at least 10 percent for goods and 15 percent for services as part of its Vision 2030 agenda aimed at attaining upper-middle-income economy status.
ZimTrade chief executive officer Mr Allan Majuru said this year’s exhibition comes at an ideal time for Zimbabwean businesses seeking to expand their footprint in Mozambique.
“Our participation at FACIM is about creating linkages that place Zimbabwe firmly at the centre of regional trade routes.
“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,” he said.
Mr Majuru said Mozambique continues to offer significant opportunities for Zimbabwean businesses because of its proximity, established trade relations and growing demand for competitively priced regional products.
“Zimbabwean companies are well positioned to grow their presence in Mozambique because we already have strong trade linkages, a shared border and relatively easy access to the market.
“What is important now is for our businesses to take advantage of these conditions, understand the needs of Mozambican buyers and offer products that are competitively priced, reliable and suited to the market,” said Mr Majuru. He added that buyers in Maputo, Beira and Tete have consistently demonstrated confidence in Zimbabwean products over the years, creating a solid foundation for further market expansion.
Over time, FACIM has evolved into one of Southern Africa’s largest and most influential trade exhibitions, attracting more than 50 000 visitors, including exhibitors, investors, policymakers, buyers and senior business executives.
This year’s edition is being held against the backdrop of strengthening bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, with the two countries increasingly focusing on practical interventions to boost trade, investment and regional connectivity.
A major milestone was the inaugural Zimbabwe-Mozambique Bi-National Commission held in November last year, where the leadership of both countries committed themselves to initiatives aimed at improving the movement of goods and people.
Among the projects under consideration are the establishment of a dry port facility along the Beira Corridor, the modernisation of the fuel pipeline and the development of a one-stop border post at Forbes-Machipanda.
The two Governments have also pledged to address tariff and non-tariff barriers in line with protocols under the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
For local exporters, these developments offer an opportunity to convert strong diplomatic and economic relations into concrete business opportunities.
FACIM 2026 is expected to provide participating companies with direct access to potential customers, distributors and strategic partners, while enabling them to gain deeper insights into the Mozambican market.
Beyond showcasing products and services, the exhibition offers an opportunity for businesses to gather market intelligence, assess consumer preferences, monitor emerging industry trends and benchmark their offerings against competitors.
Such insights are increasingly important for exporters seeking to refine product specifications, packaging, pricing and marketing strategies to meet the demands of regional markets.
The trade fair will also provide Zimbabwe with another platform to reinforce its reputation as a reliable and competitive source of quality products and services.
Previous participation by Zimbabwean companies under the ZimTrade Pavilion has generated export orders, distributorship agreements, strategic partnerships and valuable market enquiries.
These outcomes have highlighted the continued importance of face-to-face business engagement, particularly within regional markets where trust, consistent supply and strong business relationships remain critical factors in securing long-term commercial success.
Source: The Herald Zimbabwe
