ZimTrade Chief Allan Majuru Identifies Multi-Million Dollar Growth Potential in Stagnant Zimbabwe-Uganda Bilateral Trade

Trade between Zimbabwe and Uganda sits below US$1 million. ZimTrade CEO Allan Majuru reveals how manufacturing and agro-processing can bridge the gap.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 9:29 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Zimbabwe Independent

The Untapped Economic Corridor Between Harare and Kampala

The current state of commercial exchange between Zimbabwe and Uganda represents a significant underutilization of regional resources, according to ZimTrade chief executive Allan Majuru. Speaking at the Zimbabwe-Uganda Business Forum in Harare on Wednesday, Majuru revealed that annual bilateral trade has failed to reach the US$1 million mark during the period spanning 2020 to 2024. This modest figure is viewed by trade authorities not as a sign of limited interest, but as clear evidence of a massive, untapped market. The analysis suggests that the lack of a structured trade framework has historically prevented both nations from capitalizing on their complementary economic strengths.

Strategies for High Value Manufacturing Collaboration

A recent market scan conducted in early 2025 has provided a roadmap for moving beyond low-value commodity exchange and toward integrated industrial partnerships. Majuru highlighted that the manufacturing sector offers the most robust opportunities for supply chain collaboration and component sourcing. By aligning Uganda’s existing manufactured product categories with Zimbabwe’s established industrial capabilities, the two nations could create a more resilient regional distribution network. This shift toward processed goods is seen as a vital step in moving away from the continent's traditional reliance on raw material exports, which often leave local economies vulnerable to global price fluctuations.

Expanding the Scope of Agro-Processing Networks

Agriculture remains the foundational strength of both the Zimbabwean and Ugandan economies, yet processed food trade remains minimal. According to the ZimTrade assessment, there is substantial room to deepen cooperation in high-margin sectors such as dairy value chains, edible oils, and specialty horticultural products. Majuru emphasized that the focus must move toward value addition, including localized packaging solutions and the production of spices and processed foods. By developing these internal value chains, both countries can ensure that a greater share of the economic benefits from agricultural production remains within the regional borders.