Zimbabwe is pursuing an ambitious "value chain development" approach, aiming to add value to its abundant agricultural and mineral resources before export.

Current Trade Snapshot:

• Primary Exports: The export basket is dominated by primary commodities, including Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), gold, nickel, and unmanufactured tobacco. This heavy reliance on raw materials underscores the national priority to diversify and add value.
• Key Imports: Major imports consist of fuels and petroleum products, machinery, vehicles, and cereals (maize), highlighting needs in energy, industrial equipment, and food security.

• Agriculture & Agribusiness:
  • Tobacco Value Addition Plan: While a major tobacco producer, Zimbabwe aims to transform from a 98% raw tobacco exporter to a significant producer and exporter of cigarettes and other finished products, aiming to capture more of the US$1 trillion global tobacco value chain.
  • Horticulture: There is a strong focus on reviving and expanding the export of high-value horticultural products like citrus fruits, blueberries, and cut flowers, primarily to European and Middle Eastern markets.
• Mining - Beneficiation as a Priority:
  • PGMs & Gold: The core of the mining strategy is local beneficiation. This includes plans for local refining of PGMs and gold to increase export earnings.
  • Lithium & Battery Minerals: With some of the largest lithium deposits in Africa, Zimbabwe has banned the export of raw lithium ore to encourage domestic processing and the development of a battery manufacturing value chain.
• Industrial Growth: The NDS1 prioritizes the re-tooling and revitalization of the manufacturing sector, focusing on food and beverage production, textiles, and engineering to supply the domestic market and reduce the import bill.

As a key transit country in the North-South Corridor, Zimbabwe is undertaking major projects to improve trade facilitation, reduce transport costs, and enhance the efficiency of its transport corridors.

• Beitbridge Border Post Modernisation: This is the flagship trade facilitation project. The border with South Africa, one of the busiest in Africa, has been comprehensively upgraded and modernized into a state-of-the-art One-Stop Border Post (OSBP). This has drastically reduced truck turn-around times from days to hours, streamlining the flow of goods along the North-South Corridor.
• Transport Corridors: Zimbabwe is a key component of several regional corridors:
  • The North-South Corridor connects South Africa's ports to Zambia, DRC, and beyond.
  • The Beira Corridor provides the most direct sea route for Zimbabwe's eastern regions to the Port of Beira in Mozambique.
• Impact: These upgrades and the efficient management of corridors are critical for reducing logistics costs and enhancing the competitiveness of Zimbabwean products.

• National Single Window: The government is in the process of implementing a National Single Window system. This electronic platform will integrate all cross-border regulatory agencies, allowing traders to submit documentation online through a single portal, thereby increasing efficiency and transparency.
• Customs Modernisation: The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has implemented various customs modernisation programs, including the use of electronic systems for cargo tracking and customs clearance, to facilitate legitimate trade and enhance compliance.