By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
BEITBRIDGE has been challenged to transform its abundant natural resources into industries that create jobs, increase exports and accelerate economic growth.
Speaking during the official opening and closing ceremony of the 2026 Beitbridge Business Expo, Matabeleland South Agricultural Show Society President, Ms Sheron Dewa, said the border town should move away from exporting raw products and instead focus on value addition and industrialisation.
“We want to see a lot of investment and development in Beitbridge as the centre of logistics for Zimbabwe. Beitbridge needs to quickly industrialize by taking advantage of the economic activities,” she said.
Ms Dewa said the district is one of the country’s leading producers of mopane worms, citrus fruits, beef and goat meat, yet most of these products leave the district with little or no processing.
“The Town and District boast of the leading producers of macimbi (mashonja), citrus fruits (oranges), beef and goat meat. I therefore implore stakeholders and business to take time to think about value addition in all these opportunities and consider establishing more processing plants for juice, caning for beef or for goat meat instead of distributing and or exporting these products in their raw state.”
She said more economic benefits could be realised if the district invested in industries that process its local produce.
The call comes at a time when Beitbridge is increasingly positioning itself as Zimbabwe’s logistics and trade hub following major infrastructure developments, including the modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post and the upgrading of roads linking Zimbabwe to South Africa.
The district’s strategic location on the North-South Corridor, coupled with its strong agricultural base, has been identified as a key driver for industrial growth and investment.
Ms Dewa also urged businesses and small-to-medium enterprises to establish partnerships with universities and colleges to harness innovation and develop products that can be commercialised.
“May I call upon businesses, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) you name them to try and establish business linkages with institutions of higher learning that is Universities and Colleges who are coming strong and fast developing on innovation.”
She cited institutions such as the Chinhoyi University Innovation Hub, Bindura University of Science Education Innovation Hub and the Gwanda State University Agro-Innovation Hub and Industrial Park as examples of centres that are producing innovative business solutions.
“I urge players to take advantage and establish partnerships with these colleges and universities so that they help tailor make products for them,” she said.
Ms Dewa said Zimbabwe’s business opportunities remained vast and Government was ready to support investors pursuing value addition and industrialisation.
“The business opportunities in Zimbabwe are huge, and Government will definitely support all those who are into proper value addition precepts. True to the now popular adage, ‘Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo/Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo’,” she said.
The 2026 Beitbridge Business Expo brought together businesses, government departments, educational institutions and development partners to showcase products, network and explore investment opportunities in the border town.