Zimbabwe’s export sector is surging ahead under the Second Republic, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa rallying industry leaders to deepen value addition and accelerate industrialisation as the country recorded a 30 per cent rise in exports in 2025.

Officially opening the 2025 ZimTrade Annual Exporters’ Conference at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, President Mnangagwa said export-led growth was now central to the country’s transformation agenda under National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).

Speaking under the theme “Rooted Locally, Growing Globally,” the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a competitive, diversified and value-driven export economy.

“Dependence on raw exports is no longer sustainable nor desirable. We must earn more from every tonne, every kilogramme, and every product we export,” President Mnangagwa said.

In a strong endorsement of Government reforms, ZimTrade Chief Executive Officer Mr Allan Majuru revealed that Zimbabwe’s exports rose sharply in 2025.

“Zimbabwe’s export performance has recorded encouraging growth. For the period January to December 2025, the country’s exports stood at US$9.71 billion, representing a 30% increase from the US$7.43 billion recorded over the same period in 2024,” Mr Majuru said.

The impressive growth reflects the impact of macroeconomic stability, targeted incentives, trade facilitation reforms and sustained investment in productive sectors championed by the Government.

President Mnangagwa underscored that Zimbabwe is decisively shifting from exporting raw materials to processing and beneficiation across key sectors.

In mining, he reiterated that Zimbabwe will no longer be content with exporting unprocessed minerals, with policy now firmly focused on local processing, downstream industries and technology transfer.

Agriculture is also transforming, with the tobacco industry moving from raw leaf exports toward finished cigarettes and related products. Revitalisation of the cotton-to-clothing value chain, expansion of horticulture exports and livestock production for leather beneficiation are being prioritised.

The President further challenged stakeholders to unlock greater value from forestry resources and expand production of processed foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, engineering products and steel under the “Made in Zimbabwe” brand.

The Second Republic’s Whole-of-Government Approach to export competitiveness is yielding tangible results.

Key reforms include the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window platform, which has significantly reduced paperwork and clearance times for exporters, enhancing efficiency and productivity.

Massive infrastructure development—spanning road rehabilitation, trade corridors, rail modernisation and logistics upgrades—is positioning Zimbabwean goods to reach regional and global markets more efficiently.

The President reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s practical and results-oriented commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), urging businesses, particularly SMEs, to seize emerging regional opportunities.

In line with the national development philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind,” President Mnangagwa stressed that export growth must benefit youth, women, rural producers and SMEs.

As the nation prepares to commemorate National Youth Day on February 21, he challenged young entrepreneurs to become innovators, digital traders and global exporters of value-added Zimbabwean goods and services.

Established corporates were urged to mentor and integrate youth into export value chains to ensure sustained industrial growth.

President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe’s economic diplomacy thrust remains firmly focused on converting international relations into markets, investments and technology partnerships.

He directed ZimTrade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to accelerate the establishment of warehousing and logistics facilities in strategic markets to enhance export penetration within the region, across Africa and beyond.

Declaring the conference officially open, the President called for unity and determination in advancing the country’s transformation agenda.

“Sector by sector, province by province, we all have the capacity to build a value-added, diversified and competitive export economy under National Development Strategy 2,” he said.

With exports surging and reforms firmly in motion, Zimbabwe’s path toward sustained industrialisation and upper-middle-income status continues to gain momentum under the Second Republic.