When the United Arab Emirates opened its embassy in Harare in 2019, few predicted how quickly the Gulf state would cement itself as one of Zimbabwe’s most consequential partners. Yet within just half a decade, the UAE has gone from being a new player on the diplomatic scene to Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner—overtaking traditional heavyweights like China and the West.
At the center of this story is Ambassador Dr. Jassim Mohammed Mubarak Al Qasimi, a seasoned diplomat whose approach combines economic pragmatism with carefully placed humanitarian initiatives. His tenure exemplifies the UAE’s model of “quiet but powerful” diplomacy: no lectures, just leverage.
Building a Base: Embassy to Anchor Engagement
The establishment of the UAE embassy in 2019 was more than symbolic. Situated in Harare’s leafy Borrowdale suburb, the embassy became an immediate hub for unlocking investment, formalizing trade, and easing diplomatic access between the two nations. This local presence allowed the UAE to respond quickly to opportunities—whether in infrastructure, mining, or humanitarian needs.
Ambassador Al Qasimi, with a PhD in public international law and economics, was well-suited to lead this push. His background made him more than a ceremonial envoy: he arrived with a technocrat’s toolkit and a clear brief to expand Emirati influence through tangible results.
Trade & Investment: From $400 Million to $2 Billion
The numbers speak for themselves. In 2019, bilateral trade hovered at around US $400 million. By 2022, that figure had ballooned to nearly US $2 billion, a growth of almost 300% in just three years. By 2025, Emirati investments in Zimbabwe’s real estate, mining, and gold trading sectors topped US $1.4 billion.
This surge has made the UAE not just Zimbabwe’s biggest trade partner but also a stabilizing counterweight at a time when traditional Western engagement remains lukewarm.
Key areas of investment include:
Diamonds: Dubai becomes the auction floor
Perhaps the most dramatic shift lies in Zimbabwe’s diamond trade. For years, sales were opaque, routed through limited buyers, and plagued by low returns. That changed when the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company began auctioning stones in Dubai.
By moving sales to Dubai’s transparent and competitive auction platforms, Zimbabwe has eliminated intermediaries, boosted earnings, and placed itself firmly on the global diamond map. The UAE, in turn, gains reliable access to a high-demand resource while bolstering its reputation as a hub for African commodities.
Humanitarian diplomacy
The UAE’s engagement has not been all about minerals and money. Ambassador Al Qasimi has ensured that humanitarian gestures complement the hard economics:
These efforts, though less flashy than billion-dollar investments, reinforce the UAE’s message: we are here to partner across sectors.
Why the UAE Matters
The UAE’s growing role in Zimbabwe offers a glimpse into 21st-century multipolar diplomacy. Unlike Western envoys who still focus heavily on governance rhetoric, the UAE is playing a middle path: deploying capital, securing resources, and winning goodwill—without loud ideology.
Ambassador Al Qasimi embodies this balance: relational—anchored in presence, respect, and concrete results.
scale of Emirati capital flowing into Harare underscores the need for transparent agreements that ensure mutual benefit. The UAE has already altered Zimbabwe’s diplomatic landscape—and placed itself at the center of its economic future.
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