By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, are set to address the South Africa-Zimbabwe Business Forum in Midrand on Friday as the two countries seek to deepen economic cooperation.
President Mnangagwa is in South Africa for talks, and the Fourth Session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC).
The BNC serves as the highest-level platform for advancing bilateral relations and converting the two countries’ shared historical ties and economic interests into stronger cooperation and concrete development initiatives.
In a statement, the South African Presidency confirmed that the two leaders would attend the business forum, underscoring its significance to the economies of both countries.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa and His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, will on Friday, 21 August 2026, address the South Africa–Zimbabwe Business Forum at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.
“The Business Forum forms part of the programme of the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC), which will be hosted by President Ramaphosa in Pretoria.
“The Forum will bring together government representatives, business leaders and other stakeholders from South Africa and Zimbabwe to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and identify opportunities to expand trade and investment between the two countries,” the South African Presidency stated.
The forum is expected to give private-sector players from both countries an opportunity to engage governments directly on issues affecting cross-border trade and investment.
“It will also seek to translate the political commitments made by the two Heads of State into practical economic partnerships and opportunities for businesses in both countries,” the South African Presidency added.
More than 70 Zimbabwean companies are expected to take part in the Zimbabwe-South Africa Business Forum, reflecting the growing interest in strengthening commercial ties between the neighbouring countries.
Figures from ZIMTRADE show that Zimbabwe exported goods worth about US$2.2 billion to South Africa last year, while imports from its southern neighbour were estimated at approximately US$3.8 billion.
The forum comes as Harare and Pretoria seek to strengthen regional economic integration, promote industrialisation and advance inclusive economic growth.
It also supports the broader objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Southern African Development Community regional integration agenda.
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