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Istanbul Africa Trade Company

Country Profiles

Zimbabwe

The Republic of Zimbabwe is located in South Africa and it is bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. The population of Zimbabwe is 16 million and its GDP is $18 Billion.

Zimbabwe gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965 and the current constitution is effective since 2013. English is the official language. Its capital city is Harare with a population of around 1.5 million people. Zimbabwe experienced hyperinflation in the 1990s and it does not have its own currency. Instead, they are using United States Dollar, South African Rand and other major currencies.

Zimbabwe’s largest trade partners are China and South Africa. Zimbabwe exports 44% of its products to China. On the other hand, 62% of its imports is from South Africa. Tobacco farming is an important driver of Zimbabwe’s economy. There are also precious metal resources such as diamonds and other mineral mines, such as chromium.

Turkey and Zimbabwe signed a memornadum of understanding in 2017 to deepen trade and investment relations. Turkey aims to improve its commercial relations with Africa and  increase the share of Turkish companies on the African continent. The number of Turkish business councils with African countries has reached 41 by 2017. Zimbabwe is also one of the target countries for Turkish exporting companies.

Below, you can see the fact sheet, macroeconomic outlook and trade relations of Zimbabwe with Turkey.

Four charts for Zimbabwe. Population rises from about 12.3 million in 2000 to 16.5 million in 2017. GDP grows from about US$6.7 billion to US$22 billion. Total imports overtake exports after 2009, peaking near US$7 billion in 2012. Trade with Turkey is small, under about US$26 million in either direction across the period. Turkey's exports to Zimbabwe in 2008 and 2017: a pie chart splitting the ten largest product groups from all others, the total value of exports, and a table naming those ten products with each one's share. The same figures are listed as a table further down this page.
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Country at a glance

Capital city
Harare
Official language
English
Population
16 million
GDP
$18 billion
GDP per capita
$1,080
Human Development Index
0.535
Top 3 import partners
S. Africa, China, India
Top 3 export partners
China, S. Africa, United Kingdom
Top 3 import products
Broadcasting Equipment, Medicaments, Trucks
Top 3 export products
Raw Tobacco, Diamonds, Ferroalloys
Trade balance
-$1.29B in net imports

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report (2019). Figures as published, reflecting data to 2017.

Turkey's exports to this market

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report. Figures as published.

2008

$0.4 million

Top 10 products account for 89.8% of the total.

2008
ProductShare of total
Tractors37%
Light Pure Woven Cotton17.9%
Rubber Tires6.8%
Heavy Pure Woven Cotton6.7%
Non-Knit Women's Suits5.6%
Raw Plastic Sheeting5%
Other Plastic Sheetings3.1%
Terry Fabric2.7%
Interior Decorative Glassware2.6%
Photographic Film2.5%

2017

$5.3 million

Top 10 products account for 66.7% of the total.

2017
ProductShare of total
Mill Machinery17.9%
Tractors9.4%
Iron Structures8.8%
Stone Processing Machines6.4%
Chocolate5.9%
Plastic Lids5.5%
Wheat Flours3.9%
Non-Retail Synthetic Filament Yarn3.3%
Iron Gas Containers3.2%
Pesticides2.5%

Frequently asked questions

Zimbabwe: what does Turkey export there?
In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $5.3 million. The ten largest product groups made up 66.7% of that total, led by Mill Machinery; Tractors; Iron Structures.
Zimbabwe: who are its main trading partners?
The three largest import partners are S. Africa, China, India. The three largest export partners are China, S. Africa, United Kingdom.
Zimbabwe: what does the country import?
The three largest import products are Broadcasting Equipment; Medicaments; Trucks. The three largest export products are Raw Tobacco; Diamonds; Ferroalloys.
Zimbabwe: how big is the economy?
Population 16 million, GDP $18 billion, and $1,080 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.535.
Zimbabwe: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?
The trade balance is -$1.29B in net imports.

Related reading

Other country profiles

Reviewed by Burak Unal, Director of African Markets

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