By Tendai Chisiri
The inaugural first of its kind Zimbabwe-China Tobacco Expo 2025 has kicked off in Harare, bringing together industry stakeholders, policymakers, and investors to explore opportunities in the tobacco sector from Thursday to Friday.
The expo is a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen its tobacco industry and attract foreign investment with over 45 exhibitors inclusive of, Chinese and regional ones. On Thursday, there was a business expo which ended at mid-day whilst on a Friday the exhibition occurred throughout the day.
Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) Chairman, Mr. Patrick Devenish, said that Zimbabwe has achieved a historic milestone in tobacco production, with a record 355 million kilograms of tobacco produced in 2025, earning the country US$1.2 billion. He attributed the success to improved production and productivity, sustainability, and value addition.
“We want to ensure that the bulk of our leaf is processed locally to create jobs, enhance export earnings, and strengthen our industrial base,” Devenish said. “We are here to engage our partners, particularly China, to collaborate with Zimbabwe in expanding value addition and beneficiation.”
Lu Zhaofeng , Founder of Mallbem Group and Organizer of the 1st Zim-China Tobacco Expo, highlighted the growing trade relations between Zimbabwe and China. She noted that China is Zimbabwe’s largest buyer of tobacco, with nearly half of Zimbabwe’s tobacco exports shipped to China.
“In 2024, the value of tobacco imported by China from Zimbabwe reached USD 788 million, and it is expected to exceed the USD 800 million mark in 2025, setting a new historical high,” Linda said. “This expo is a vivid reflection of the in-depth development of China-Zimbabwe economic and trade cooperation.”
The expo provides a platform for industry stakeholders to explore opportunities for collaboration and investment. Devenish said that Zimbabwe is looking to collaborate with China in expanding value addition and beneficiation, particularly in areas such as cigarette manufacturing, nicotine extraction, and shisha and alternative tobacco product processing.
“We acknowledge the challenges that remain, limited access to affordable long-term financing, underutilised factory capacity, and the need to modernise equipment,” Devenish said. “But each challenge represents an opportunity for investment and partnership.”
The expo is expected to drive the growth of the tobacco industry in Zimbabwe and strengthen the country’s economic ties with China.
News Sport Online 