Zim seeks to expand export footprint at DRC Mining Week
ZIMBABWE is participating in the 2025 DRC Mining Week, which is starting today in Lubumbashi as part of efforts to expand its export footprint in Central Africa.
Facilitated by ZimTrade, the mission, which ends on Friday, aims to integrate Zimbabwean businesses into the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) mining value chain, leveraging the country’s growing demand for mining inputs, equipment and support services.
The DRC Mining Week is one of Central Africa’s premier trade platforms for the extractive sector, attracting procurement officers, mine operators, government officials and regional suppliers.
Zimbabwean companies specialising in engineering, mining consumables, electrical systems, conveying and rubber products, personal protective clothing (PPE), and consumer goods (including horticultural inputs and leather accessories) will engage in business matchmaking, exhibitions and market familiarisation activities to strengthen supply linkages into the Congolese market.
In a statement, ZimTrade chief executive officer, Mr Allan Majuru, emphasised the mission’s strategic importance, saying that: “DRC is a critical market for Zimbabwean exporters, particularly in the mining and manufacturing sectors.”
“This trade mission provides a targeted platform for our businesses to secure contracts, forge partnerships and tap into regional value chains. With the DRC’s vast mineral resources and infrastructure needs, Zimbabwean companies have a competitive edge in supplying high-quality inputs and technical expertise,” said Mr Majuru.
DRC’s US$10,7 billion import market in 2024 — dominated by machinery (US$1,8 billion), electrical equipment (US$1,1 billion), vehicles (US$1,02 billion), and fabricated metals (US$484 million) — presents a strategic opportunity for Zimbabwean manufacturers, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) producing tools, spare parts, trailers and construction materials.
ZimTrade has held many trade promotion activities in different regions in the DRC market, targeting key areas and tapping into its growing demand.
Zimbabwe’s exports to the DRC have shown strong growth, rising from US$12,65 million in 2022 to US$26,66 million in 2024, driven largely by mineral fuels (coke and coal).
However, significant opportunities exist to diversify into manufactured goods, consumables, and mining support services, aligning with DRC’s infrastructure and industrial expansion.
Participation in the DRC Mining Week supports Zimbabwe’s regional trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), SADC and Comesa, which reduce barriers and enhance market access.
The mission will also provide critical insights into the DRC’s regulatory environment, distribution networks, and buyer preferences, equipping exporters with knowledge to establish long-term trade relationships.
With its booming mining sector and growing consumer demand, DRC remains a high-potential market for Zimbabwean goods and services. Sustained engagement, product diversification, and strategic alliances will be key to unlocking this potential and driving sustainable export growth.
The mining sector is a key player in the country’s economy, contributing more than 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s export receipts and attracting more than 50 percent of foreign direct investment (FDI). -herald
