International buyers from ten countries have arrived in Bulawayo ahead of Zimbabwe Export Week, where local companies will pitch their products in the hope of winning new export orders.

The Herald reported on Saturday that the buyers come from Mozambique, Poland, Zambia, Eswatini, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Kingdom, China, Rwanda and Germany. They were welcomed by Zimbabwe Tourism Authority officials, who presented them with national fabric.

What happens next

The week is run by ZimTrade, the country's trade development and promotion agency. According to ZimTrade and The Herald, the first Shop@Zim buyers' seminar takes place in Bulawayo on Monday 2 November at the Holiday Inn, before the programme moves to Harare on Wednesday 4 November. ZimTrade says the week ends on Friday 6 November with its annual Exporter of the Year Awards in Harare.

ZimTrade said the Bulawayo session gives companies in the southern region a chance to pitch products and services directly to selected regional and international buyers. Holding sessions in both cities, it said, allows more exporters to take part and makes for more tailored meetings.

In an interview with The Herald, ZimTrade chief executive Allan Majuru said 15 buyers were taking part and that each would be matched with several Zimbabwean exporters based on what they want to source, rather than following a fixed ratio.

"We expect the Seminars to generate export orders, distribution agreements and long-term business partnerships between Zimbabwean exporters and international buyers," Majuru told the paper.

Which sectors are in focus

Majuru said the target sectors are horticulture, processed foods, fast-moving consumer goods, leather and textiles, building materials, engineering products and other manufactured goods. He said the countries were picked based on demand for Zimbabwean products, existing trade links and market intelligence, with regional buyers offering scope to grow trade under SADC, COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area, and European and Asian buyers helping to widen the range of export destinations.

"The target is to grow exports of finished products while creating more opportunities for local producers and suppliers," he said.

The Herald reported that Stanbic Bank and Afreximbank are sponsoring the 2026 Export Week, with Zimpapers, which publishes The Herald, as media partner.

Why it matters

Zimbabwe has been pushing for export-led growth to earn more foreign currency and support local industry. Majuru said the wider aim of the seminars is to lift local production, factory capacity use, jobs and foreign currency earnings, in line with the National Export Strategy and National Development Strategy 2.

The focus on finished goods comes as minerals continue to dominate the country's sales abroad. Figures from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, reported here on Friday, showed mineral sales passed US$5 billion between 1 January and 27 October, more than double the same period last year.

For Bulawayo, hosting the opening seminar is a chance to show off its industrial and manufacturing base, The Herald said, positioning the city as a regional centre for trade and business.

Zimbabwean businesses, including diaspora-linked firms, can find details of the programme on ZimTrade's website.

Sources: The Herald, 31 Oct 2026: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/watch-international-buyers-arrive-for-zimbabwe-export-week/ · The Herald: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/zimtrade-to-host-buyers-seminar-to-drive-export-growth/ · ZimTrade, 6 Oct 2026: https://tradezimbabwe.com/shopzim-buyers-forum-2026-set-for-november/

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