Zim and Ghana consolidate trade ties 

Source: Zim and Ghana consolidate trade ties – herald

Zimpapers Correspondent

ZIMBABWE and Ghana are stepping up efforts to expand trade cooperation, in line with the Second Republic’s thrust on economic diplomacy, which seeks to align long-standing diplomatic relations with increased private sector engagement and cross-border market access.

This was reflected in the Ghana-Zimbabwe Business Roundtable held in Accra on the sidelines of President Mnangagwa’s State visit to the West African country last week.

The roundtable, co-organised by ZimTrade and the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), brought together companies from both countries to explore opportunities in trade, investment and tourism.

Zimbabwe presented its economic offerings to the Ghanaian business community, while engagements at the meeting indicated growing interest in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, mining and services, with particular focus on value addition and beneficiation.

ZimTrade chief executive officer Mr Allan Majuru said the platform was designed to facilitate structured engagement between businesses from the two countries.

“The Ghana-Zimbabwe Business Roundtable provides space for companies to engage directly, exchange information and identify areas of cooperation. What is emerging is increasing interest from the Ghanaian private sector to partner with Zimbabwean businesses,” he said.

Mr Majuru said emphasis will now be placed on ensuring that engagements translate into trade flows.

“Our focus is to support Zimbabwean companies in converting these engagements into exports and sustainable business partnerships that contribute to economic development.”

Zimbabwe, he said, was positioning itself as a competitive partner in value addition, leveraging its resource base, human capital and industrial capacity, while also seeking to expand its footprint into West African markets.

During President Mnangagwa’s State visit, ZimTrade and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade promotion.

The MoU will see the two institutions collaborate in facilitating business linkages, sharing market intelligence and coordinating joint trade missions and exhibitions.

Mr Majuru said the agreement will provide a framework to support sustained engagement between businesses and institutions in both countries.

“The MoU establishes a structured mechanism for our cooperation with GEPA and it will address information gaps, while creating pathways for businesses to access each other’s markets,” he said.

He added that the partnership will support Zimbabwean exporters seeking entry into Ghana and the wider West African region, while also creating opportunities for Ghanaian businesses in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe and Ghana have maintained diplomatic relations over the years, with current efforts focused on expanding economic cooperation through increased tourism, investment, trade and private sector participation.

Ghana provides access to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) market, while Zimbabwe offers entry into the Southern African Development Community (SADC), presenting opportunities for businesses from both countries to scale operations across regions. The engagements also come within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to promote intra-African trade and support industrialisation across the continent.