Zimbabwe has been urged to position its businesses to benefit from the growing global shift towards green industrialisation and circular economy models, with regional business leaders identifying sustainability as an opportunity to boost competitiveness, create jobs and attract investment.
Speaking at the COMESA Green Industries Connect, Sheriff El Gabaly, First Vice President of the COMESA Business Council, said green industrialisation should be viewed not merely as an environmental obligation but also as a driver of economic growth for businesses across the region.
El Gabaly said global buyers, investors and regulators were increasingly demanding products with lower emissions, greater resource efficiency and stronger traceability, making sustainable production essential for companies seeking to compete in regional and international markets.
He highlighted the commercial potential of the circular economy, noting that the global economy was only about 7.2 percent circular, while the transition presented an estimated US$4.3 trillion economic opportunity and could create up to 142 million jobs globally.
He said COMESA member states needed to prepare businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and young entrepreneurs, to tap into opportunities in recycling, refurbishment, repair services and resource-efficient production.
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Opening the Zimbabwe-focused engagement, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce president Josephine Takundwa said the country should be viewed as a destination for investment and business partnerships rather than simply a meeting place.
“Zimbabwe is not merely a place to meet; it is a place to build partnerships, discover opportunities, and do business. COMESA is not merely a regional market; it is a platform through which our collective capabilities can become our collective competitive advantage,” Takundwa said.
Her remarks emphasised the need to leverage regional cooperation to translate Zimbabwe’s position within COMESA into tangible commercial opportunities for local businesses.
Meanwhile, Lana Zutelija, representing the European Union in Zambia and COMESA, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting green industrialisation, circular economy development and sustainable economic growth across Eastern and Southern Africa.
She described the gathering as timely, saying it aligned with the EU’s broader efforts to promote environmentally responsible, resource-efficient and competitive industrial development.
The discussions come as businesses face growing pressure to improve resource efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of production while exploring new markets and investment opportunities linked to sustainable manufacturing.
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