• Zimbabwe is part of the “Let’s Build One Africa” business forum, where the economic potential of Africa is discussed.

• Zimbabwe is strengthening its manufacturing value chains to increase productivity and enhance access to markets.

• They have their sights set on competing in a free trade area.

Zimbabwe is part of the “Let’s Build One Africa” business forum, where the economic potential of Africa is discussed.

“Let’s Build One Africa” is a Business Forum currently underway in Cape Town, South Africa where authorities are looking at ways of accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Zimbabwe is part of this business forum.

Pan-African and global business leaders have graced these high-level panel engagements in South Africa discussing the economic potential of the “One African Market” through increasing intra-Africa trade under the AfCFTA initiative.

Africa in general, particularly Zimbabwe has a huge economic potential, regardless of this, some African countries have not benefitted and have remained net importers of goods. The Intra-Africa trade is currently at a disappointing 15 percent, despite the continent boasting of a massive market and a human capital base of 1.2 billion people with an estimated Gross Domestic Product of not less than 3.1 trillion united states dollars. This is the reason the business forum came into existence to mitigate this problem.

Zimbabwe is strengthening its manufacturing value chains to increase productivity and enhance access to markets.

This Monday, the minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr. Sekai Nzenza highlighted how Zimbabwe is strengthening its manufacturing value chains to increase productivity and enhance access to markets. “From a Zimbabwean perspective the government has been very supportive, especially to women-led business and it’s time for our local businesses to transform from SMEs to big corporates,” said Minister Nzenza.

They have their sights set on competing in a free trade area.

She also went on to point out how it is the only opportunity to compete in a free trade area. She said, “This is the only way that we can compete in a free trade area, and as Zimbabwe, we have our competitive advantages that we are taking advantage of and we are calling authorities to continue supporting Industry financially to excel”

Zimbabwe is looking to maximize the opportunities that abound within the African continent by exploiting the market presented by AfCFTA.