Belarus-Zimbabwe Business Roundtable Signals New Era for Bilateral Trade

By Charity Chikara

Zimbabwe and Belarus are charting a new course for stronger economic ties, following a successful business roundtable hosted in Minsk alongside President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s official visit to meet Belarusian counterpart President Alexander Lukashenko.

The roundtable, co-hosted by ZimTrade and the National Centre for Marketing of Belarus, brought together government officials, private sector leaders, and trade development experts from both countries to explore tangible investment opportunities.

In his remarks, ZimTrade CEO Allan Majuru said the roundtable came at a critical time when Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to expand its export footprint.

“We are here to unlock meaningful trade and investment synergies that can deliver value to both countries. Our goal is not just to talk, but to act,” said Majuru.

Discussions focused on high-impact sectors such as mining, agriculture, dairy production, tourism, processed foods, and manufacturing. Belarusian companies showed strong interest in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, particularly in contract farming initiatives.

“Contract farming is a model we’re willing to scale, as it empowers local farmers while ensuring a stable supply of quality produce for export,” said a Belarusian trade representative.

Zimbabwe’s organic superfoods — avocados, blueberries, and baobab — also drew attention for their growing international demand. Belarusian delegates identified value-added products like baobab powder, canned fruits, and organic oils as key items with export potential, given the shift towards healthier and convenient food options globally.

The manufacturing and leather sectors were also identified as areas of mutual benefit. Zimbabwe’s high-quality hides could feed into Belarus’s advanced manufacturing lines, offering opportunities for technology transfer and joint ventures.

“We see potential in working with Zimbabwe’s leather industry. With the right technology and partnerships, both sides can benefit,” said one Belarusian industrialist.

The roundtable emphasised the need to move from dialogue to implementation. Both ZimTrade and the National Centre for Marketing pledged to drive post-event engagements.

“We’re committed to following through with actionable plans. This roundtable marks the beginning, not the end,” said Majuru.

As Zimbabwe seeks to position itself as a regional trade hub, leveraging Belarusian innovation and its own resource base could be key. For Belarus, partnerships in Africa are part of a broader push to diversify trade and expand into emerging markets.

The business roundtable, held against the backdrop of diplomatic goodwill and shared development ambitions, was described by organisers as a milestone in unlocking sustainable trade and investment between the two nations.

“This engagement has paved the way for lasting economic cooperation. The momentum is strong, and the prospects are promising,” Majuru concluded.