China’s foreign trade reached an unprecedented level in 2025, driven by a broader range of trading partners and strong performance from private companies, according to newly released official statistics.

Data from the General Administration of Customs shows that the country’s total trade in goods rose to 45.47 trillion yuan (US$6.35 trillion), representing a 3.8 percent increase compared to the previous year. Export values grew by 6.1 percent to 26.99 trillion yuan, while imports saw a modest rise of 0.5 percent, totaling 18.48 trillion yuan.

This milestone further cements China’s status as the world’s largest trading nation in goods.

Trade expansion was particularly strong with emerging economies. China engaged in trade with more than 240 countries and regions, achieving growth with 190 trading partners.

Commerce with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) increased by 6.3 percent to 23.6 trillion yuan, accounting for nearly 52 percent of overall trade activity. Trade volumes with ASEAN, Latin America, and Africa rose significantly, climbing 8 percent, 6.5 percent, and 18.4 percent, respectively.

China’s export profile continued to move toward higher-value and environmentally friendly products. Shipments of high-technology goods increased by 13.2 percent to 5.25 trillion yuan. Exports of key green technology products including electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar panels surged by over 27 percent, while overseas sales of wind power equipment jumped nearly 49 percent.

Despite lower global commodity prices, imports showed steady improvement, especially in the latter half of the year. Import growth was recorded for three straight quarters from the second quarter onward.

For the year as a whole, imports of mechanical and electrical products rose 5.7 percent to 7.41 trillion yuan, with notable increases in electronic components and computer parts.

Participation by businesses in foreign trade also broadened. More than 780,000 companies were involved in import and export activities during the year.

Private enterprises remained the backbone of trade growth, recording transactions worth 26.04 trillion yuan, a 7.1 percent increase, and raising their contribution to 57.3 percent of China’s total trade.

Zimbabwe recorded a goods trade surplus of USD 90.5 million in November 2025, marking a 215.2% increase from the USD 28.7 million surplus recorded in October.

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) revealed that this surge was driven by export growth combined with a sharp contraction in imports.

The monthly surplus was the result of exports amounting to USD 1.046 billion, which exceeded imports of USD 955.8 million, indicating a strengthening external trade position.

“Zimbabwe’s goods trade balance for November 2025 was a surplus of US$90.5 million, a 215.2% increase from the October 2025 surplus of USD 28.7 million,” ZimStat stated in its November 2025 External Trade Report.

The agency noted that the trade outcome reflects the fundamental dynamics of export and import performance.

While exports in November rose only marginally compared to the previous month, imports declined significantly, reinforcing the surplus.

“November 2025 exports amounted to USD 1.046 billion, an increase of 0.4% (USD 4.5 million) from the October 2025 value of USD 1.042 billion,” ZimStat reported.

“Imports for the month totalled USD 955.8 million, which was 5.7% (USD 57.2 million) less than the October 2025 imports of USD 1.013 billion.”

The statistics agency indicated that November’s export earnings were largely underpinned by a narrow range of commodities.

“Among the top ten products exported were semi‑manufactured gold, tobacco (partly or wholly stemmed or stripped), and nickel mattes, accounting for 42.4%, 23.7%, and 17.0% of the total export value, respectively.”

On the import side, energy and capital goods dominated the bill.

“Mineral fuels and oils, machinery and mechanical appliances, cereals, and fertilisers were among the top ten imported products, constituting 20.4%, 10.5%, 7.0%, and 6.4% of the total import value, respectively,” stated ZimStat.

The agency said Zimbabwe’s export earnings were concentrated in a few key markets.

“The country’s major export destinations in November 2025 were the United Arab Emirates (44.4%), South Africa (21.8%), and China (21.2%).

These three countries accounted for about 87% of total export value.”

South Africa remained Zimbabwe’s dominant source of imports.

“The major source countries were South Africa (39.2%), China (15.8%), the Bahamas (7.2%), and Bahrain (6.8%), accounting for around 69% of the total import value.”

ZimStat also indicated strong export performance within regional and continental trade blocs.

The major exports to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) were nickel mattes (74.6%), tobacco (4.4%), coke and semi‑coke of coal (4.1%), and nickel ores and concentrates (3.9%).

Exports to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) followed a similar pattern, dominated by the same four products, which together accounted for about 87% of the total export value of USD 238.5 million to the bloc.

ZimStat concluded that the November trade figures point to a marked improvement in Zimbabwe’s goods trade position, largely supported by mineral exports and restrained import demand.

This resulted in one of the strongest monthly trade surpluses recorded in 2025.

Eyes USD 10 billion recapitalisation drive

Itai Mazire

The Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF) has raised about USD 1 billion in capital to support the recapitalisation, modernisation and restructuring of State-owned enterprises, marking a significant milestone in efforts to stabilise and revive some of Zimbabwe’s most strategic economic assets.

The Fund, in its inaugural annual report and first set of audited financial statements, said the capital mobilisation achieved through a mix of debt, equity and partnership arrangements represents a critical step towards addressing long-standing infrastructure deficits, modernising operations and restoring viability across its investment portfolio, whose total funding requirements exceed USD 10 billion.

The USD 1 billion already raised has been channelled towards priority interventions across the Fund’s clusters, including infrastructure refurbishment, capital expansion and recapitalisation initiatives aimed at restoring operational efficiency and improving service delivery.

MIF says the successful mobilisation of this initial funding demonstrates its growing capacity to leverage its balance sheet and attract diverse sources of capital.

“The Fund maintains a cluster-wide funding pipeline prioritising infrastructure refurbishment, capital expansion and recapitalisation initiatives,” reads the report.

“Total funding requirements exceed USD 10 billion, with approximately USD 1 billion raised to date for portfolio companies.”

According to the report, MIF is pursuing a multi-pronged funding strategy that combines debt and equity financing, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and joint ventures with development finance institutions, commercial banks and private investors.

Under this approach, the Fund structures transactions that allow private capital to co-invest alongside the State in specific projects or entities, while spreading risk and improving access to long-term financing.

In some cases, PPPs are being used to unlock private sector expertise and funding for infrastructure upgrades, while joint ventures enable strategic investors to inject capital and technical know-how into portfolio companies.

Beyond capital mobilisation, MIF has placed strong emphasis on strengthening corporate governance across its portfolio, which it says is critical to restoring investor confidence and ensuring sustainable performance.

The Fund has rolled out a governance roadmap anchored on diagnostic assessments, board induction and training, development of environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks, and the strengthening of internal and external audit processes.

“MIF places strong emphasis on good corporate governance, compliance and capacity building.

“The governance roadmap includes diagnostic assessments, board training, ESG framework development, internal and external audits, and alignment with international best practices.

“The Fund focuses on compliance with regulatory requirements, managing legal risks, and supporting effective governance through standardised reporting and training.

“Key governance targets include achieving 90 percent compliance with the Santiago Principles, 100 percent board member induction, and continuous professional development.”

Standardised reporting frameworks and compliance systems are also being enforced to manage legal risks and align portfolio companies with international best practice.

On performance, the Fund reports progress in stabilising and restructuring several investee companies, although it acknowledges that significant challenges remain.

These include legacy debts, historical governance weaknesses at some entities, and persistent liquidity constraints that limit the pace of recovery.

Looking ahead, MIF says its strategic focus is shifting from planning to execution, with increased emphasis on tighter portfolio monitoring, stricter enforcement of governance reforms and targeted capital deployment to unlock value.

The Fund believes these measures will strengthen the contribution of its portfolio to economic growth, fiscal stability and long-term national development.

Chief executive officer Dr John Mangudya said MIF spent its first year undertaking diagnostic assessments and portfolio valuations to inform turnaround and growth strategies.

He said the Fund had a gross asset value of USD 16 billion and a fair value of USD 15 billion as at December 31, 2024.

“Our investment strategy prioritises resilience, diversification and sustainable value creation.

“Inspired and empowered by the country’s vision of becoming a prosperous upper-middle-income economy by 2030, we strengthened and continued to enhance governance frameworks across our portfolio companies, enhanced risk management practices, and deepened our focus on operational efficiency during 2024,” said Dr Mangudya.