# Southern African economic and trade development forums > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/southern-african-economic-and-trade-development-forums > Updated: 2026-09-05T15:59:45.000Z. Sources: 27. Developments: 6. Southern African nations are preparing for several large-scale economic forums and trade events scheduled for late August and September 2026, focusing on infrastructure, mining, and sustainable development. In Zambia, the Build Zambia Expo and Conference aims to drive infrastructure investment and job creation. Concurrently, Zimbabwe is hosting the 15th Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI 2026) to address critical minerals, energy, and community development. The 61st Maputo International Trade Fair (FACIM) in Marracuene, Mozambique, continues to serve as a central platform for economic integration. The Institute for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (IPEME) is utilizing the fair to assist micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, women, and youth in accessing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by addressing barriers to financing and market access. In the financial sector, Banco Comercial e de Investimentos (BCI) is participating as a sponsor, providing digital banking and financing for agribusiness and renewable energy. During the fair, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Celso Correia announced plans to import 800 bulls to modernize the national livestock sector, aiming to improve cattle genetics and increase meat and milk production. Additionally, experts at the event discussed biodiversity conservation as an economic driver, emphasizing that a green development model requires synergy between the government, private sector, local communities, and academia. At the conclusion of the fair, Prime Minister Benvinda Levi urged the private sector and investment institutions to convert signed commitments into tangible investments, such as factories and processing units. Emphasizing the need to reduce reliance on unprocessed exports, Levi called on the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA) and the Agency for Investment and Export Promotion (APIEX) to monitor the execution of agreements. She also reiterated government commitments to reducing bureaucracy and accelerating digitalization to facilitate market access. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: Mozambique announces livestock and biodiversity initiatives at FACIM At the FACIM trade fair, Mozambique's Ministry of Agriculture announced the import of 800 bulls to modernize livestock and discussed biodiversity conservation as a key driver for national economic development. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mozambique-announces-livestock-and-biodiversity-initiatives-at-facim ### 2026-09-05: Mozambique PM calls for FACIM commitments to become real investments Mozambique's Prime Minister Benvinda Levi urged the private sector to turn FACIM trade fair commitments into real industrial investments, factories, and jobs to boost the national economy. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mozambique-pm-calls-for-facim-commitments-to-become-real-investments ### 2026-09-02: Maputo International Fair focuses on MSME trade and economic integration The 61st Maputo International Fair (FACIM) in Mozambique focuses on MSME integration into the AfCFTA and features financial service expansions from BCI. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maputo-international-fair-focuses-on-msme-trade-and-economic-integration ### 2026-08-29: Maputo International Fair 2026 opens to drive Mozambique's industrial growth The 61st Maputo International Fair (FACIM 2026) has launched in Mozambique, focusing on industrialization and digital transformation while strengthening economic cooperation with Portugal. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mozambique-strengthens-economic-ties-with-us-and-portugal ### 2026-08-27: Maputo International Trade Fair 2026 to host 3,000 exhibitors The 61st Maputo International Trade Fair (FACIM) 2026 will feature 500 foreign firms and 3,000 exhibitors, focusing on digital and energy transformation, alongside the MFGB green business forum. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maputo-to-host-green-business-forum-and-regional-trade-events ### 2026-08-26: Zambia and Zimbabwe announce major infrastructure and mining industry forums Zambia and Zimbabwe are preparing for major industry forums: the Build Zambia Expo 2026 for infrastructure and the 15th Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba focusing on mining and energy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zambia-and-zimbabwe-announce-major-infrastructure-and-mining-industry-forums --- Cite as: Southern African economic and trade development forums. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/southern-african-economic-and-trade-development-forums