Business reporter

Evidence of Zimbabwe’s economic resurgence under the new dispensation anchored on agriculture and mining continues, as the country has been ranked fifth on the intra-Africa trading list, according to the latest regional statistics.

According to Tralac Trade Law Centre figures released this week, total intra-Africa trade in 2020 was estimated at US$61 billion having declined five percent over the last five years.

Zimbabwe’s total exports receipts for 2020 to the continent was circa US$2.4 billion, accounting to four percent share of the total continental trade.

“For the year under review Zimbabwe exported tobacco, ores and precious stones worth US$1.7 billion to South Africa. The same products were exported to Mozambique for US$0.4 billion. While some precious stones worth US$0.1 billion were exported to Uganda,”

According to Tralac, the 2020 intra-Africa trade was down to 16 percent mainly because of Covid 19 related supply chain disruptions. Intra- Africa trade peaked at 21 percent in 2015 and averaging 18 percent annually until 2019,” read part of the report.

Topping the intra Africa trade was South Africa, accounting for 32 percent of the total continental trade. Nigeria (10 percent), Democratic Republic of Congo (eight percent) and Egypt (six percent) are part of the top five leading exporters in the continent.

The rest of the African countries make up 40 percent of trade.

Zimbabwe which comes fifth plans to continue growing its export base in the region and take advantage of the upcoming Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The country’s export promotion body ZimTrade, said there is also scope to export fresh produce to the region and increase Zim’s export revenue. ZimTrade has since conducted a slew of offensive trade missions in Botswana, DRC, Uganda among other African markets to further promote trade and improve the country’s export receipts.