Staff Reporter

Zimbabwe and the European Union (EU) will co-host the inaugural EU-Zimbabwe Business Forum from 20 to 22 May at Meikles Hotel in Harare, in a major push to strengthen economic ties and attract sustainable investment.

The event will run under the theme “Industrialisation & Economic Integration: Strengthening Africa’s Resilience”, and forms part of the EU’s €150 billion Global Gateway strategy, which aims to build infrastructure and trusted partnerships across Africa by 2027.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann, said the forum comes at a pivotal moment in Africa’s development journey.

“In Africa, our vision is bold, to mobilise up to €150 billion in investments by 2027, with a focus on infrastructure that drives inclusive growth. Not charity. Not dependency. But real partnerships,” said von Kirchmann.

The ambassador stressed that Africa is the EU’s closest neighbour and largest trading partner, noting that the EU purchased almost US$300 billion worth of African products last year—double that of any other region. He added that creating a “fertile ground” for investment is essential to achieving sustainable growth.

No investment, whether national or international, will bear fruit unless the ground is fertile. This means clearstrategies, investment in education and health, strong institutions, infrastructure, and legal predictability,” he said.

Through the Global Gateway, the EU is already backing several key projects in Southern Africa. These include a €1 billion green hydrogen plant in Mozambique, road upgrades in Zambia co-financed by the European Investment Bank, and a rail connectivity study in Zimbabwe. In Namibia, the EU is helping to develop value chains for critical minerals like lithium and rare earth elements.

“We can build roads, railways, generate energy, and offer financing. But it is the private sector that creates sustainable growth and jobs,” von Kirchmann noted.

In Zimbabwe, the EU supports trade, agriculture, inclusive growth, and access to long-term financing. The upcoming forum marks a new chapter in EU-Zimbabwe economic cooperation.

“Let us walk this road together. Let us unlock Africa’s potential not through promises, but through partnerships,” he said.

The forum is expected to draw investors, business leaders, and policymakers from both Zimbabwe and Europe.