On the 29th June 2020, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Dr. S.B. Moyo, visited the detergent manufacturing company, Trade Kings Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited, at its manufacturing plant in Workington, Harare. The Minister was accompanied by the Secretary for Industry and Commerce, Dr. Mavis Sibanda, and the Chief Executive Officer of ZimTrade, Mr. Allan Majuru. 

The company started operating in Zimbabwe in 2011 as Zim Kings (Pvt) Limited, a trading company for imported detergent products from Trade Kings Zambia. The distribution company commenced operations by importing detergent powder, detergent paste, various sweets and confectionery products from Zambia. 

In 2015, Trade Kings (Pvt) Limited then went on to invest USD$20 million into setting up a manufacturing plant in Workington, Harare for BOOM washing Powder and Boom Paste. The commencement of the commercial production of Boom washing powder and Boom paste began in 2018. The plant has capacity to produce 3,500 tonnes of BOOM washing powder and 400 tonnes of detergent paste, which is enough to meet the country’s demand per month. 

In February 2019, Trade Kings commenced exports of washing powder to Mozambique and Zambia and export earnings of US$1.5 million have been realised to date. The company The Company intends to export to DRC and Malawi among other regional countries.   

Trade Kings Zimbabwe currently employs 250 workers with potential to expand to 500 employees. 

Plans are underway for Trade Kings to invest additional US$20 million to set up manufacturing plants for mahewu and snacks. 

      The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Dr. S.B. Moyo, appreciated Trade Kings Zimbabwe for the investments in Zimbabwe and their intentions to expand and diversify operations.

The Minister encouraged the company to increase their exports to generate more foreign currency for the benefit of the country in line with the National Trade Policy and National Export Strategy objectives to increase the national export of goods and services by at least 10% annually from US$ 4,5 billion (2018) to US$ 7 billion by 2023 and, thereafter upwards to US$ 14 billion by 2030 - the 7:14 export targets

The Minister challenged Trade Kings Zimbabwe to significantly contribute to the attainment of these targets and export into the entire African continent making use of SADC, COMESA and AfCFTA trade preferences.

 He also commended the efforts taken by Trade Kings Zimbabwe to navigate this challenge of foreign currency shortage through exports. 

• Assured that Government will ensure that exporting and other strategic companies are prioritised in accessing foreign currency.
• Noted also the adverse effects of smuggling of detergent powder from neighbouring countries which render products uncompetitive.
• Assured that Government will make sure that all entry points of smuggled goods are tightened and that corruption at the border