EU-Zimbabwe Business Forum Draws over 200 Companie...

EU-Zimbabwe Business Forum Draws over 200 Companies

Witness Runodada

Zim Now reporter

More than 200 companies from Europe and Zimbabwe are expected to participate in the first-ever EU-Zimbabwe Business Forum, scheduled to take place in Harare from May 20 to 22, 2025.

The event, organized by the European Union in collaboration with Zimbabwean partners, aims to strengthen economic ties and unlock new investment opportunities in agriculture, energy, and mining value chains.

According to the EU delegation in Zimbabwe, the forum will serve as a high-level platform to connect European investors with Zimbabwean businesses, with a strong focus on enhancing trade flows and value-added production. The EU has identified Zimbabwe as a strategic partner in southern Africa, particularly in sectors like horticulture, renewable energy, and mineral beneficiation.

Trade between the European Union and Zimbabwe has shown significant growth in recent years. In 2023, total trade volume reached US$881 million, marking a 30 percent increase compared to 2021. The EU remains the leading importer of Zimbabwe’s horticultural products, underlining the importance of agriculture in bilateral trade.

Zimbabwe’s exports to the EU in 2023 were dominated by agricultural goods, which accounted for 47.3 percent of total exports, led by horticultural products. Manufactured goods followed at 26.2 percent, while minerals made up 18.9 percent. On the import side, Zimbabwe sourced most of its machinery and equipment from the EU, comprising 37.2 percent of total imports. Other major imports included chemical products (8.6 percent), pharmaceuticals (8.1 percent), precision instruments (7.8 percent), cereals (7.2 percent), and vehicles (6.7 percent).

EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann, speaking ahead of the forum, expressed optimism about the growing economic partnership. “The EU aims to boost trade and investment in Zimbabwe to US$1 billion. This forum is a crucial step toward achieving that goal by facilitating dialogue and partnerships that benefit both sides,” he said.

The EU-Zimbabwe Business Forum is expected to feature business-to-business meetings, sectoral roundtables, and policy discussions involving government officials, industry leaders, and development finance institutions.