The European Union’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann, says trade and investment between the EU and Zimbabwe could hit the US$1 billion mark in the next few years.
Speaking recently, Ambassador von Kirchmann highlighted the strong upward trend in economic ties between the two sides.
Official EU figures show that trade has jumped by 30%, while foreign direct investment (FDI) has shot up by an impressive 90%, now sitting at around US$870 million.
Trade volumes are currently at US$880 million, showing just how quickly things have picked up since the EU softened its approach to Harare and introduced more favourable trade policies.
The numbers, he said, point to a clear and growing appetite for doing business between Zimbabwe and the EU. Said von Kirchmann:
I am confident that we will reach our next goal in a couple of years of US$1bn in trade and foreign direct investment to Zimbabwe. We are not far off, and Team Europe will continue its effort to reach this milestone.
He said any Zimbabwean company can export any product to the EU without tariffs or duties. Said von Kirchmann:
Let’s look at the progress of our partnership between Team Europe—EU member states present in our bank, the European Investment Bank—and Zimbabwe over the last three years.
We have a 90% increase in EU investments in Zimbabwe, now reaching US$870m. We have a 30% increase in trade, now at US$880m, and over US$500m in development projects run by Team Europe and also humanitarian aid…
Zimbabwe is exporting more to the EU than it is importing.
The EU continues to play a major role in Zimbabwe’s horticultural exports, snapping up large volumes of produce like berries, citrus fruits, and macadamia nuts.
According to von Kirchmann, over 40% of Zimbabwe’s horticultural output heads to EU markets, making the bloc the country’s biggest buyer in that sector.
While Zimbabwe enjoys zero-tariff access to the EU under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), many local businesses are still in the dark about the full range of opportunities available.
Ambassador von Kirchmann said more needs to be done to raise awareness, calling for a focused campaign to help exporters take full advantage of the deal.
Speaking at the Europe Day celebrations, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Sheilla Chikomo, welcomed the growing ties between Zimbabwe and the EU, saying the relationship continues to move in a positive direction. Said Chikomo:
It is something to be applauded and I am excited because today is a special day, and in 11 days we will be having a business forum. So this is a great milestone.
The EU-Zimbabwe Business Forum is set to take place in Harare from 20 to 22 May, with hopes it will further strengthen commercial ties between the two sides.
The event is being co-hosted by ZIDA, ZimTrade, and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), and will bring together a mix of investors, businesses, and public bodies from both Europe and Zimbabwe.
Top of the agenda are sectors like agriculture and agro-processing—especially berries, citrus, and macadamia nuts—which continue to show strong export potential.
There’s also growing interest in renewable energy, particularly solar and off-grid options that could help ease Zimbabwe’s ongoing power challenges.
Mining is another big talking point. But it’s not just about extraction—there’s a strong push towards beneficiation, with both local and international players looking to add value to raw materials before they’re shipped out.
More: Business Times
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