Unlocking Opportunities for Zimbabwe’s SMEs under the AfCFTA: Insights from the National Workshops

Unlocking Opportunities for Zimbabwe’s SMEs under the AfCFTA: Insights from the National Workshops

• Blog
• August 28, 2025

By Ambassador Kim S Walusimbi 

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a groundbreaking agreement connecting 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion, presents a transformative opportunity for Zimbabwe’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). On 25-26 August 2025, the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare hosted National Workshops organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MWACSMED). Supported by the ECA Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA) and funded by DANIDA, these workshops aimed to equip Zimbabwean SMEs with the knowledge and tools to leverage the AfCFTA. This blog article explores key insights from the event, shares impactful messages and highlights from keynote speakers, and provides strategic recommendations for Zimbabwe’s National Implementing Committee on AfCFTA to maximize the agreement’s benefits.

The AfCFTA seeks to boost intra-African trade, which currently accounts for only 15% of the continent’s total trade compared to 60% in the European Union, by fostering economic integration and reducing trade barriers. For Zimbabwe, where SMEs are vital to employment and economic growth, the agreement offers access to a vast continental market and opportunities for integration into regional value chains. However, challenges such as limited access to finance, inadequate market information, and regulatory hurdles have limited SME participation, with only 1% of Zimbabwean MSMEs currently accessing regional export markets. The Harare workshops addressed these gaps by providing training on AfCFTA instruments, including Rules of Origin, the E-Tariff Book, Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) Notification Tools, and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

The workshops convened approximately 60 participants, including 20 government officials and 45 SMEs, fostering robust public-private dialogue on AfCFTA implementation. Technical sessions covered export readiness, digital trade protocols, and strategies to overcome non-tariff barriers, with a strong emphasis on empowering women and youth-led enterprises. This focus aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the role of inclusive trade in driving economic transformation.

Keynote speakers and presenters shared compelling insights on the AfCFTA’s potential. Mr. Amson Sibanda, Chief of the National Strategies and Capacity Building Branch at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, stated, “The AfCFTA is not just a trade agreement; it is a catalyst for sustainable development. By strengthening the resilience of Zimbabwe’s MSMEs, we can accelerate progress toward the SDGs and ensure inclusive economic growth.” His remarks underscored the workshops’ alignment with global development goals. Mr. Dennis Choguya, a Consulting Expert with the UNDP Training Program, emphasized competitive challenges, noting, “The AfCFTA opens a market of 1.3 billion people, but Zimbabwean SMEs must prioritize product quality, business sustainability, and economies of scale to compete effectively. Capacity building and formalization are critical first steps.”

Dr. Ayodele Odusola, UNDP Resident Representative, highlighted the importance of regional markets, stating, “Focusing solely on local markets limits growth potential. Access to the African market through AfCFTA holds immense potential for job creation and economic growth, particularly for women and youth-led enterprises.” Mrs. Ethel Bangwayo, an economist, urged SMEs to focus on competitiveness, saying, “To seize AfCFTA opportunities, SMEs must focus on competitiveness—improving costs, quality, pricing, and packaging. This is how Zimbabwe can unlock its export potential.” Finally, Ms. Beauty Razemba, Deputy Director at MWACSMED, emphasized the need for accessible guidelines, stating, “Our SMEs need simplified guidelines and awareness of AfCFTA protocols to navigate this new trade landscape. These workshops are a critical step in building that capacity.”

To maximize the AfCFTA’s impact, Zimbabwe’s National Implementing Committee must adopt strategic measures. First, enhancing SME formalization and registration is essential, as formalization is a prerequisite for participating in AfCFTA trade protocols. The Committee should streamline registration processes and partner with organizations like ZimTrade to guide regulatory requirements.

Secondly, expanding targeted capacity-building programs to other regions, focusing on export readiness, digital trade, and compliance with AfCFTA instruments, will empower SMEs, particularly women and youth-led businesses, who face a 67% gap in access to trade-related information.

Third, by establishing Economic Trade Hubs that can provide SMEs with resources for product development, digital integration, and market linkages, serving as one-stop centers for support.

Fourth, by strengthening public-private partnerships with entities like the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), UNDP, UNECA, SADC, and COMESA can mobilize resources and align initiatives with national and regional trade strategies.

Fifth, streamlining governance and reducing non-tariff barriers through transparent business processes and regulations will enhance SME market access. Sixth, promoting digital trade and e-commerce by leveraging the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade and training SMEs on platforms like PAPSS can boost competitiveness. Seventh, improving access to finance and infrastructure through partnerships with the World Bank and African Development Bank, alongside projects like the Chirundu–Beitbridge road dualization, will address logistical barriers. Finally, establishing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework will ensure that AfCFTA implementation remains responsive to SME needs and drives export growth.

The National Workshops held on 25-26 August 2025 at the Rainbow Towers Hotel marked a pivotal step toward empowering Zimbabwe’s SMEs to harness the potential of the AfCFTA. By addressing barriers through capacity building, governance reforms, and inclusive strategies, Zimbabwe can position its SMEs to compete effectively in the continental market. The workshops highlighted the transformative potential of the AfCFTA while underscoring the need for capacity building, governance reforms, and inclusive strategies to overcome barriers faced by SMEs. By implementing the recommended strategies, Zimbabwe’s National Implementing Committee can position the country’s SMEs to compete effectively in the continental market, driving sustainable economic growth and aligning with national and global development goals. The AfCFTA is more than a trade agreement; it is a pathway to prosperity for Zimbabwe’s entrepreneurs, fostering sustainable economic growth and aligning with national and global development goals.

The writer is a UNESCAP Trained Next Generation Trade Facilitation Expert, Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) Practitioner, AfCFTA Trade Advisor, and advocate for sustainable economic and regional integration of the African continent.