Zimbabwean Women Artisans Target Markets at Shanghai Import Expo
The delegation from the Self-Help Development Foundation focuses on producers in the Buhera and Lupane districts.
Mendy Mkondwa, the organisation’s programmes coordinator, held up a Buhera basket designed as a fruit barrel for bread or eggs while speaking on the sidelines of the trade exposition.
“The work here is too cumbersome,” Ms Mkondwa said, noting the meticulous hand-stitching involved in creating the traditional goods.
Partnering with ZimTrade, the foundation is establishing direct market linkages to secure fair profits for the 261 participating women.
The ninth edition of the trade event runs from November 5 to 10, bringing together thousands of global enterprises. Seventeen Zimbabwean companies overall are showcasing products ranging from manufactured goods to horticulture.
Exhibitors at the Zimbabwe Pavilion face distinct consumer trends on the trade floor. Most visitors look for items suited for personal use rather than bulk commercial orders.
“Most of the buyers are buying for personal use,” Ms Mkondwa said. Buyers often explain that their living spaces are compact and they prefer smaller decorative items.
The product catalogue features diverse handwoven goods including fruit bowls, planters, toiletry trays, bins, and placemats. Younger generations in rural areas show reluctance to take up the craft, presenting a long-term challenge for employment creation in the sector.
Meanwhile, the broader national delegation highlights the country’s push to diversify its export footprint. Bilateral trade between Zimbabwe and China reached US$4,4 billion in 2025, representing a 15,2 percent increase from the previous year, tradezimbabwe.com reported.
Expanded zero-tariff arrangements enacted by Beijing have lowered trade barriers for African exporters. China’s imports from the continent reached US$28.72 billion during May and June, representing a 23.5 percent increase over the same period in the prior year.
Female entrepreneurs and women-led enterprises make up much of the Zimbabwe Pavilion at the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Centre. Sandra Ndebele, musician and chair of the National Handcrafts Centre for Zimbabwe, welcomed the strong turnout.
“I’m glad to see so many women here at CIIE; it is a real endorsement of women’s contribution to economic and social progress in Zimbabwe,” said Sandra Ndebele.
Other delegates pointed to the broader economic impact of connecting rural cooperatives with overseas markets. Nyarai Kurebgaseka from Kaza Oils noted that her natural oil enterprise sources some of its raw materials through women cooperatives.
“It is great to be at the CIIE, which extends our capacity to increase our impact by reaching global buyers and expanding community opportunities,” Ms Kurebgaseka said.
Foundation organisers continue working to translate initial exhibition interest into concrete commercial orders before the trade fair closes.