The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) has called on local industries to take full advantage of expanding trade opportunities with China following the country’s inclusion under China’s zero-tariff initiative for 53 African countries.
In a statement, the ZNCC said the remarks by Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Zhou Ding, underscore the growing strength of bilateral economic relations and the need for Zimbabwean businesses to prepare for increased exports.
“Zimbabwe-China trade reached a record US$4.4 billion in 2025, a 15.2 percent increase from the previous year. Zimbabwe exported US$2.57 billion to China, imported US$1.83 billion and recorded a trade surplus of US$740 million. Meanwhile, cumulative Chinese investment into Zimbabwe has reached approximately US$10 billion, spanning steel, cement, fertiliser, building materials, mineral processing, power generation and digital infrastructure,” said ZNCC.
The chamber said Zimbabwe’s inclusion under China’s zero-tariff initiative, which took effect on 1 May 2026, presents a major opportunity for industrialisation and export growth.
“For Zimbabwe, this is more than a trade concession. It is an industrialisation opportunity. The Chinese market is already absorbing Zimbabwean minerals and tobacco. The next frontier is higher-value exports, including macadamia nuts, citrus fruits, avocados, blueberries, processed foods, manufactured products and other value-added goods. The challenge now shifts from market access to productive capacity,” the ZNCC said.
The development presents Zimbabwe with an opportunity to diversify its export base, boost value addition and strengthen industrial growth. However, fully benefiting from the expanded access to the Chinese market will require increased investment in production, improved competitiveness and closer collaboration between Government and the private sector to meet growing demand.
