Farai Mabeza
Zimbabwe’s response to expanding zero-tariff access to the Chinese market has come under scrutiny amid concerns the country risks missing out while other African economies move quickly to position themselves for increased exports to China.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, writing on X under the handle @Jamwanda2, said Zimbabwe’s response to the opportunity had been “ponderously slow” compared to other African countries already positioning themselves to benefit.
In his remarks, Charamba cited a development economist’s observation that underdevelopment often stems from a country’s inability to quickly reorganise its economic activities in response to emerging opportunities.
“I see a bit of that when it comes to Zimbabwe’s ponderously slow response to the zero-tariff opportunity in the Chinese market,” Charamba wrote.
He noted that countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt were already taking steps to increase their participation in the Chinese market, while Zimbabwe was still debating how best to respond.
“Countries like SA, Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt are already in while we are still debating those new opportunities. We take too long to redeploy our assets and activities to new opportunities,” he said.
China has in recent years expanded preferential trade arrangements with several African countries as part of efforts to deepen economic cooperation and boost imports from the continent. The arrangements are expected to create opportunities for African exporters in sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, mining beneficiation and manufacturing.
Analysts say Zimbabwe could potentially benefit through increased exports of products such as citrus, avocados, macadamia nuts, tobacco, cotton products and processed minerals if the country is able to improve production capacity, standards compliance and export coordination.
Charamba’s comments come at a time when Zimbabwe is seeking to expand export markets and attract greater foreign currency inflows as part of broader economic recovery and industrialisation efforts.
While acknowledging the opportunities presented by the Chinese market, observers say capitalising on them will require faster policy implementation, improved logistics and stronger coordination between government and the private sector.
