Zimbabwe and South Africa held the fourth session of the Joint Bilateral Committee (JBC) on Friday 21 August 2026 in Pretoria. The meeting, which aimed to strengthen their bilateral relations and develop cooperation in the economy, cross-border trade and direct investment, resulted in the signing of new agreements.
At the Business Forum held on 21 August 2026 as part of the 4th Joint Commission, South Africa and Zimbabwe reaffirmed their shared commitment to intensifying bilateral trade and boosting mutual investment. The forum, which brought together 250 South African and Zimbabwean business leaders, resulted in the signing of new agreements. Discussions highlighted the importance of moving beyond traditional trade to focus on investment, industrialisation, innovation and value addition.
Zimbabwe is committed to removing all tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. We are also ready to address the challenges faced by African entities operating in Zimbabwe. Our mantra, ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’, reflects our commitment to improving the ease of doing business and expanding investment partnerships.
Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe
The discussions aimed at increasing trade and investment focused on the development of agricultural value chains, local mineral beneficiation, technology transfer and joint ventures. With bilateral trade exceeding USD 5 billion in 2025, the committee seeks to turn cooperation in trade, energy and infrastructure into concrete action, thereby strengthening regional integration.
The memoranda of understanding and agreements signed today, as well as the conclusions reached, reflect our practical commitments to consolidating our partnership. It is now important to implement these arrangements so that they deliver tangible benefits to our nations and our people.
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwean and South African businesses are already interconnected through trade in machinery, technology, inputs, services and markets, but that the next step should involve co-investment, joint research, technological innovation and the mobilisation of financing for high-impact regional projects.
