Zimbabwe & Mozambique Strengthen Economic Ties:A New Era of Co-operation

By Enia Dube

In a significant boost to regional economic cooperation, Zimbabwe and Mozambique are set to strengthen their economic ties with the convening of the Mozambique-Zimbabwe Business Forum on November 22, 2025, in Maputo.

The forum, jointly organized by ZimTrade, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), and Mozambique’s Agência para a Promoção de Investimento e Exportações (APIEX), is expected to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, and tourism, while advancing the Second Republic’s economic diplomacy drive.

The forum, which is also being collaborated on by CEO-Africa Roundtable, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), and the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), provides a platform for the private sector to establish practical partnerships and engage directly with potential business partners in Mozambique.

According to ZimTrade Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Allan Majuru, the Maputo Forum is an opportunity to open new markets for Zimbabwean exporters while providing a structured avenue for investors from both countries to collaborate on manufacturing, logistics, and value-added production.

“Our expectation is that companies will walk away with concrete business leads and agreements that strengthen bilateral trade and investment flows,” said Mr. Majuru. He added that the meeting directly supports the government’s foreign-policy thrust, which emphasizes that foreign engagements must deliver measurable economic outcomes.

The Second Republic has made significant strides in promoting economic diplomacy, and this forum is a testament to that commitment. “This Forum supports that priority by connecting Zimbabwean businesses to regional value chains and promoting collaborative ventures with Mozambican counterparts,” said Mr. Majuru.

He also noted that the private sector’s response shows growing confidence in regional economic cooperation, stating, “We are neighbours with shared economic interests. When we collaborate on trade, logistics, tourism, and industrial development, both economies grow, and this Forum is a step toward building a more coordinated and productive partnership.”

The forum is expected to explore partnerships in various sectors, including agriculture, agro-processing, mining, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, and tourism. Joint tourism packages linking Zimbabwe’s destinations with Mozambique’s coastline are expected to boost arrivals, while improved value-chain development, logistics, port efficiency, irrigation, and renewable energy projects will strengthen industrialization and export growth for both economies.

The creative industries will also explore partnerships in film production, cultural exhibitions, festivals, and destination promotion. These sectors are increasingly recognized as contributors to economic diversification, employment creation, and regional branding.

Business-to-business meetings will be central to the forum, laying the groundwork for follow-up missions, technical committees, and investment discussions. The meeting comes as Southern Africa strengthens its participation in regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Zimbabwe and Mozambique are seen as strategic partners in this process, given their geographic proximity and complementary economic structures.

Increased collaboration is expected to enhance competitiveness, broaden exports, and support industrial development in both economies. The forum’s format, which includes sector briefings, policy exchanges, and business-to-business sessions, has been arranged to allow companies to identify partners and negotiate opportunities directly.

This engagement comes as both countries intensify efforts to increase industrial capacity, and Mozambican ports remain critical to Zimbabwe’s external trade. Improved coordination on customs, logistics, and transit procedures is expected to reduce export costs and strengthen competitiveness.

The forum aligns with the government’s broader economic diplomacy agenda, which seeks to reposition Zimbabwe as an active participant in regional and international markets. Under the Second Republic, foreign policy has placed emphasis on practical economic cooperation, market expansion, re-engagement, and attracting investment.