Export Portal: a lifeline for small businesses in Zimbabwe

International trade is daunting and precarious, especially for small businesses. The team behind Export Portal have worked tirelessly to make it a more straightforward and safer process. The primary drive behind Export Portal is to increase trade for small businesses. These businesses are critical to society and the broader economy, but they usually don’t get extensive support especially when it comes to international trade.

Zimbabwe has been trading with the world for centuries. The last century’s trade has been dominated by colonial export of raw materials. The export of raw materials continues to this day and contributes +95% of Zimbabwean exports according to a 2014 report by the World Bank. Over the past decade, the Zimbabwean government has realized that economic growth will come from exporting finished goods and having a thriving small business sector. Despite its efforts, the Zimbabwean government has not been able to reduce the reliance on raw material export.

Small businesses in Zimbabwe have generally found it difficult to gain traction in the international market. This is primarily due to an economic collapse in the 2000s, in which a lot of small businesses closed and their owners moved on. Fortunately for the country, the entrepreneurial spirit never dies, and the current generation is trying to revive small business activity. Despite their enthusiasm, small businesses in Zimbabwe currently face various challenges including:

• Access to new markets
• Access to new technologies 
• Administrative skills for international trade

Export Portal offers a solution to these problems and more. Within the Export Portal, Zimbabwean business owners will be able to:

• Reach new clients and business partners across the world
• Have access to a knowledge base on international trade
• Lower their financial risk when importing or exporting by using their escrow services
• Be able to consult with dedicated staff 

This is information and resources that are usually only available to larger companies. Now it’s all possible for small businesses within one website. Furthermore, they will have access to reputable shippers which can move their products easily from point A to B.

The journey with Export Portal in Zimbabwe is only beginning. New services and knowledge bases will be launched with the country in mind. Export Portal is determined to be the premier service and information provider for small businesses.