A DELEGATION of 12 women entrepreneurs from Zimbabwe’s essential oils and beauty sectors is in the United Kingdom for a four-day trade mission aimed at creating business connections with British companies.
The visit seeks to promote Zimbabwe’s natural beauty products in the UK’s lucrative wellness market while boosting export opportunities for women-led enterprises and strengthening trade ties between the two countries.
Organised under the SheTrades Commonwealth+ (STC+) Programme, the initiative aims to introduce high-quality Zimbabwean products to the UK beauty and wellness market while enhancing women’s participation in international trade.
The mission, which runs from March 9 to 12, includes business-to-business (B2B) meetings and targeted company visits across London, Bradford and Manchester.
According to a statement from the British embassy in Zimbabwe, participants are exploring commercial opportunities with UK businesses to foster new trade relationships and partnerships.
Key highlights of the programme include a roundtable discussion at Zimbabwe House in London, featuring remarks from Zimbabwe’s ambassador to the UK, Christian Katsande, among others.
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“This mission presents a unique opportunity for our women entrepreneurs to showcase their products and create valuable connections in the UK market,” Katsande said.
“By spotlighting our natural resources, we not only promote our culture but also contribute to our economic growth.”
The STC+ Programme, funded by the British embassy in Harare and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with ZimTrade, focuses on strengthening women-led businesses in essential oils and beauty products.
The programme aims to promote local processing and value addition of Zimbabwe’s natural resources, aligning with national priorities to leverage available raw materials for economic growth.
In addition to the roundtable, the trade mission features a mini-spa and B2B event where UK buyers will have the opportunity to sample various products, including essential oils and botanical oils such as Zumbani, Baobab, Mongongo and Mafura.
The offerings highlight the rich heritage of Southern African traditions while advancing sustainable practices in the beauty sector.
Throughout the week, the delegation will engage with various stakeholders in the UK beauty ecosystem, including manufacturers, testing laboratories and e-commerce platforms such as Amazon UK. These interactions are designed to provide participants with practical insights into UK market standards and regulatory requirements.
“Understanding the UK market is crucial for us,” Tatenda Machirori of ZimTrade said. “The insights gained during this mission will help our entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of exporting and establish successful business relationships.”
The trade mission is part of broader efforts to enhance women’s export-led growth and strengthen trade ties between Zimbabwe and the UK.
The upcoming launch of the SheTrades Zimbabwe Hub on March 20 is expected to further bolster support for Zimbabwean women-led enterprises and expand their access to international markets.
The STC+ Programme in Zimbabwe is a UK government-funded initiative aimed at increasing the quality and volume of exports from women-led businesses in the essential oils and beauty products sectors. By fostering inclusive trade practices and supporting women entrepreneurs, the programme seeks to unlock new economic opportunities and promote equitable growth.