ZIMTRADE RECENTLY led a delegation of 31 Zimbabwean companies on a Services Exploratory Mission to Zambia, signalling a major push to expand the country’s export footprint beyond traditional goods into the high-growth services sector.
Held from 9-12 June 2026, the mission focused on unlocking commercial opportunities in the agriculture and building and construction industries, where Zimbabwean professional expertise is increasingly recognized as a preferred regional solution.
Outside of engaging directly with Zambian regulators, project developers, and potential business partners, the mission provided a vital platform for local service providers to translate their technical capacity into tangible, cross-border commercial success.
The impact of the mission was immediate and commercially significant, with participating Zimbabwean firms recording confirmed orders worth US$13,4 million, alongside an additional US$25,8 million in orders currently under negotiation.
These figures reveal the strong appetite in Zambia for the specialised skills Zimbabwean companies offer.
A key highlight was the B2B seminar in Lusaka, which attracted 130 Zambian companies, demonstrating a deep interest in partnerships that prioritize practical, cost-effective, and professional execution.
Whether in agriculture, or in the construction sector, the mission proved that Zimbabwean solutions are well-aligned with Zambia’s developmental trajectory.
For example, in the agricultural sector Zimbabwean expertise were sought in farm planning, irrigation, and mechanization, while construction attracted demand for quality architectural design, quantity surveying, and sustainable project management.
Beyond the numbers, the mission offered participants invaluable market insights through direct engagement with key players in their respective industries.
These interactions allowed Zimbabwean companies to better understand the nuances of the Zambian business environment, regulatory requirements, and the specific technical needs of their neighbors.
Positioning themselves as reliable, long-term partners rather than just service providers, the Zimbabwean delegation successfully laid the groundwork for sustainable growth.
As ZimTrade continues to support these firms in refining their market-entry strategies and nurturing the relationships built in Lusaka, the mission serves as a clear blueprint for how Zimbabwe’s services sector can drive regional integration, create skilled employment, and significantly increase national export revenue.
