Harare, Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwe–Uganda Business Forum organized and sponsored by various stakeholders including Uganda High commission in Pretoria, ZimTrade among others has officially kicked off this morning in Harare.
The Forum has highlighted the vast potential for economic cooperation between the two countries, with a focus on leveraging regional and continental frameworks to expand trade, diversify exports, and accelerate industrialisation.
Speaking at the forum, Ambassador Paul Amoru, Head of Mission of the Republic of Uganda to the Republic of Zimbabwe, emphasized the strong and promising relations between the two countries, citing high-level exchanges and collaborations on regional, continental, and global issues.
“As Head of Mission, I report with great satisfaction that our two countries enjoy exceptionally strong and promising relations at both political and socio-economic levels. We collaborate closely on a broad spectrum of issues of mutual, regional, continental, and global interest. At international forums, we consistently align to advance a common African position and agenda” he said.
The forum, taking place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, brought together government officials, investors, entrepreneurs, and sector experts to explore practical avenues for expanding bilateral trade.
Amoru highlighted the opportunities for cooperation in areas such as agro-industrialisation, tourism development, mineral-based industrialisation, and science, technology, and innovation.
According to Amoru, Uganda has embarked on an ambitious strategic journey to grow her economy tenfold—from approximately US$55 billion to US$500 billion by 2040.
“To achieve this Vision, we have identified four critical pillars—ATMS: Agro-Industrialisation, Tourism Development, Mineral-based Industrialisation, and Science, Technology and Innovation” he explained.
He said strategic partnerships with trusted friends like Zimbabwe in these sectors, along with their enablers, will accelerate uganda’s shared transformation and deliver inclusive prosperity.
According to the latest comprehensive bilateral trade data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (2024), total trade between the two nations stood at approximately US$869,000.
Amoru reported that Uganda exported US$682,000 to Zimbabwe, with leading products including sanitary towels (US$202k), packaged medicaments (US$99.6k), and delivery trucks (US$99k).
”These exports have grown at an impressive annualised rate of 16.7% over the past five years. Zimbabwe exported approximately US$187,000 to Uganda, primarily citrus fruits” Amoru said.
The Ambassador also highlighted the potential for tourism cooperation, citing the recent tourism roadshow in Harare that featured key destination marketing companies from both countries.
He expressed optimism that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would amplify trade between the two countries, positioning them for exponential scaling of bilateral trade in the coming years.
Amoru commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ZimTrade’s dynamic leadership for making the forum possible, and thanked Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordinating the strong delegation.
Mr. Allan Majuru, CEO of ZimTradeAlerts, underscored the importance of strengthening trade linkages between Zimbabwe and Uganda, highlighting the forum as a strategic platform to connect businesses, facilitate partnerships, and unlock new export opportunities.
He noted that insights from recent market engagements have revealed strong potential for collaboration in sectors such as agro-processing, manufacturing, and value addition, and emphasized the need to move from market exploration to actual trade.
Mr. Majuru further reaffirmed ZimTrade’s commitment to supporting exporters, promoting business-to-business engagements, and driving practical outcomes that increase trade volumes between the two countries.
Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Hon. Prof. Dr. Amon Murwira emphasized the importance of platforms like this in deepening economic cooperation and translating strong political relations into tangible trade and investment outcomes.
According to Murwira the Zimbabwe–Uganda Trade and Business Forum held in September 2024 that brought together Government officials, investors, entrepreneurs and sector experts who explored practical avenues for expanding bilateral trade under the theme “Boosting Trade and Investment Opportunities between Zimbabwe and Uganda,” further demonstrated the vast potential that exists for economic cooperation between the two nations.
He said the recent launch of the Entebbe-Harare direct flight by Uganda Airlines was a significant milestone in enhancing air connectivity and facilitating trade and investment.
Murwira also highlighted the importance of leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to expand trade and accelerate industrialisation.
”Our engagement today takes place at a pivotal moment when Africa is intensifying efforts to deepen economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which offers African businesses access to a combined market of more than 1.4 billion people” Mulimba said.
