TRADE between Zimbabwe and Uganda remains below US$1 million annually, highlighting significant untapped potential for economic cooperation between the two countries, ZimTrade chief executive Allan Majuru said on Wednesday.
Addressing the Zimbabwe–Uganda Business Forum in Harare, Majuru said both countries have room to expand bilateral commerce through structured trade partnerships, manufacturing linkages and value-added exports.
“At present, bilateral trade between our two countries remains modest and below its full potential,” Majuru said.
“During the five-year period from 2020 to 2024, total trade between Zimbabwe and Uganda remained below US$1 million per year, based on the trade analysis that informed this engagement.”
Majuru said a market scan conducted by ZimTrade in Uganda last year revealed several opportunities for stronger commercial cooperation.
“Following our market scan in Uganda in early 2025 and the subsequent engagement around its findings, it became clear that there are practical and mutually beneficial opportunities for structured trade and investment collaboration between our two countries,” he said.
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He noted that while Africa’s participation in global trade has been increasing, the continent continues to capture only a small share of global exports.
Citing the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) 2025 African Trade Report, Majuru said Africa’s merchandise trade rose by 13,9% to US$1,5 trillion, yet the continent still accounts for only 3,3% of global exports.
“While Africa may be increasing its participation in global trade, much of that participation remains concentrated in low-value exports and externally processed commodities,” he said.
“What matters now is the composition of trade: the extent to which Zimbabwe and Uganda can export processed goods and contribute to our regional value chains and increasing the share of intra-African commerce.”
Majuru said the manufacturing sector presents a strong opportunity for collaboration between the two economies.
“Uganda’s presence in certain manufactured product categories, and Zimbabwe’s capabilities in selected industrial and value-added segments, can create opportunities for supply partnerships, component sourcing and distribution collaboration,” he said.
He added that agro-processing also offers scope for deeper trade, given the strong agricultural foundations in both countries.
“There is room to deepen our collaboration in processed foods, spices, horticultural products, dairy value chains, edible oils, specialty foods and related packaging solutions,” Majuru said.
Zimbabwe and Uganda are both members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and signatories to the African Continental Free Trade Area, which Majuru said should be used to strengthen regional value chains.
“Where trade volumes are still low, the room for expansion is often substantial,” he said.
“Low trade, in this case, should not be read as a sign of limited opportunity, but as evidence of untapped potential.”