President Emmerson Mnangagwa has challenged Zimbabwean exporters to prioritise value addition, innovation, and competitiveness, declaring export-oriented production a national economic imperative under the National Development Strategy 2.
Addressing delegates at the 2026 ZimTrade Annual Exporters’ Conference being held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds in Bulawayo last week, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe must move decisively away from reliance on raw exports.
“Export-oriented production and productivity cannot merely be a commercial or business strategy, but must now be a national economic imperative,” he said.
“The current times demand innovative approaches, through our continuous reflection as stakeholders on structural challenges as well as the numerous opportunities at our doorstep.”
The president emphasised that dependence on exporting raw materials is no longer sustainable.
“Dependence on raw exports is no longer sustainable nor desirable,” Mnangagwa said.
“We must earn more from every tonne, every kilogramme, and every product we export.
“The situation where jobs, value and industrial opportunities are lost, is untenable.
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“Zimbabwe is no longer satisfied with being a supplier of raw minerals.
“Under my administration focus is on local processing, diversifying downstream industries, technology transfer and stronger linkages across the economy.”
Mnangagwa urged exporters to take advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“A key reform in this regard is the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window platform ,which has seen exporters spend less time on paperwork and more on productivity and trade,” he said.
Mnangagwa also called for increased youth participation in exports, urging young entrepreneurs to become producers and innovators.
