President Emmerson Mnangagwa has challenged Zimbabwean exporters to prioritise value addition, innovation, and competitiveness, declaring export-oriented production a national economic imperative under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
Addressing delegates at the 2026 ZimTrade Annual Exporters’ Conference being held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds in Bulawayo today, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe must move decisively away from reliance on raw exports.
“Export-oriented production and productivity can not merely be a commercial or business strategy, but must now be a national economic imperative,” said the President.
He noted that the global trading environment is becoming increasingly competitive, requiring countries to adopt new strategies.
“The current times demand innovative approaches, through our continuous reflection as stakeholders on structural challenges as well as the numerous opportunities at our doorstep,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the conference theme, “Rooted Locally, Growing Globally,” reflects Zimbabwe’s drive to rebuild productivity and industrial growth.
“This thrust is indeed central to a stronger export-led growth,” he said.
The President emphasised that dependence on exporting raw materials is no longer sustainable.
“Dependence on raw exports is no longer sustainable nor desirable. We must earn more from every tonne, every kilogramme, and every product we export. The situation where jobs, value and industrial opportunities are lost, is untenable,” he said.
He underscored Government’s firm stance on beneficiation, particularly in mining.
“Zimbabwe is no longer satisfied with being a supplier of raw minerals. Under my Administration focus is on local processing, diversifying downstream industries, technology transfer and stronger linkages across the economy,” said President Mnangagwa.
In agriculture, he highlighted the shift towards value addition across key sectors.
“Our tobacco remains a strategic crop and we are now progressively moving from raw leaf exports to a wide range of quality cigarettes and tobacco products,” he said.
He added that revitalising the cotton-to-clothing value chain, strengthening horticulture exports, and increasing livestock production for leather beneficiation remain priority areas.
President Mnangagwa urged exporters to take advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“I urge you all to ensure that Zimbabwean enterprises, especially SMEs, are appropriately structured, supported and capacitated to take advantage of preferential access, rules of origin and regional value chains,” he said.
He said Government reforms aimed at simplifying trade processes and improving infrastructure are designed to enhance export competitiveness.
“A key reform in this regard is the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window platform which has seen exporters spend less time on paperwork and more on productivity and trade,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also called for increased youth participation in exports, urging young entrepreneurs to become producers and innovators.
“Together, in unity, let us translate the ongoing economic reforms into shipments; partnerships into premium prices; and strategy into shared prosperity,” he said.
With these remarks, President Mnangagwa officially declared the conference open.
