Zimbabwe will host the 19th COMESA Business Forum from 19th to 21st October 2026 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), bringing together business leaders, investors, policymakers and industry experts from across the COMESA region and beyond. The Forum will be held on the margins of the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit, scheduled for 22nd October 2026. The programme will feature the COMESA Green Industries Connect on 19th October, the High-Level Dialogue on 20th October, and an International Multisectoral Exhibition and side sessions running from 19th to 21st October.
Themed “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialization, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA,” the Forum will provide a platform to strengthen regional trade, unlock investment opportunities, promote industrialisation and advance sustainable economic growth across the region.
The three key components of the Forum will include the COMESA Green Industries Connect (19th October), a platform bringing together businesses, investors, policymakers and circular economy practitioners to explore opportunities across priority green value chains; a High-Level Policy Dialogue (20th October) bringing together public and private sector leaders to address key trade, investment and industrialisation priorities; and an International Multisectoral Exhibition (19th-21st October) showcasing products, services, technologies and innovations from across the COMESA region and beyond.
As the flagship private sector event of the COMESA region, the Business Forum will create a unique opportunity for businesses to engage with decision-makers, explore new markets and forge partnerships that can drive regional value chains. The 2025 COMESA Business Forum in Nairobi demonstrated the value of the platform, with its multisectoral exhibition attracting approximately 90 exhibitors from across the region and creating opportunities for B2B and B2G engagements, product showcasing and cross-border trade partnerships.
According to ZimTrade, as of 2024, Zimbabwe accounted for the GPD at 44,188 Million United States Dollars. The Country presents significant opportunities for regional and international businesses, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and horticulture, mining, agro-processing, manufacturing, leather, construction and value-added industries. With its strategic location, productive sectors and established industrial base, the country offers opportunities for businesses seeking to expand their footprint within the COMESA market and connect with new buyers, investors and partners.
The 19th COMESA Business Forum therefore represents more than a regional business gathering; it is a platform for turning trade and investment opportunities into partnerships, market access and tangible business outcomes across a market of more than 600 million people in the region.