UAE becomes Zimbabwe’s top export market as trade surges past US$6 billion

Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates are projected to raise bilateral trade volumes to US$6 billion by the end of the year, reflecting sustained expansion in economic cooperation between the two nations. The outlook follows nearly US$5 billion in trade recorded in 2025, with growth observed across mining, agriculture and wider commercial exchanges, reports The Herald, a partner of TV BRICS.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa noted that Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement policy has supported the deepening of international partnerships and contributed to the steady expansion of bilateral ties.

UAE Ambassador to Zimbabwe Jassim Mohammed Al Qasimi underscored the positive trajectory of economic collaboration during his tenure. He confirmed that trade volumes surpassed US$5 billion in 2025, with expectations of further growth this year driven by ongoing projects and investment flows across multiple sectors.

Data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) shows that the United Arab Emirates accounted for 50 per cent of Zimbabwe’s export earnings in the first quarter of 2026, totalling approximately US$1.401 billion out of US$2.775 billion in global exports. The UAE has also overtaken South Africa as Zimbabwe’s leading export destination, with minerals and horticultural products remaining the primary export categories.