EU AMBASSADOR REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING EU–ZIMBABWE PARTNERSHIP

The Ambassador underscored that the European Union (EU) is a steadfast and reliable partner and reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening a trust-based, forward-looking partnership with Zimbabwe across a wide range of areas of mutual interest. She noted that, following the EU Council's annual review of restrictive measures, all measures concerning individuals and entities have been lifted, while the arms embargo remains in place. Ambassador Hagemann emphasised that this decision reiterates the EU's commitment to constructive engagement and to the continued deepening of EU-Zimbabwe relations. She also highlighted the importance of the Zimbabwe-EU Partnership Dialogue as a key platform for structured and meaningful engagement between both sides.

"The European Union reiterates its commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Zimbabwe and to strengthening a partnership built on trust, mutual respect and shared interests," the Ambassador said. "We look forward to the next formal Zimbabwe-EU Partnership Dialogue and to continued engagement that delivers tangible benefits for both Zimbabwe and the EU."

Ambassador Hagemann also stressed that trade and investment are central pillars of the EU-Zimbabwe partnership. The EU remains one of Zimbabwe's top trading partners, with trade continuing to grow. Zimbabwe benefits from duty-free and quota-free access to all 27 EU Member State markets. However, with only around 200 Zimbabwean companies currently exporting to Europe, significant untapped potential remains. Increasing trade volumes - with the immediate symbolic goal of reaching USD 1 billion - represents an important milestone. Promoting sustainable and inclusive private sector development is therefore a priority, underpinned by stability, predictability and strong governance to foster investor confidence.

The Ambassador also welcomed the positive momentum in the Structured Dialogue on Arrears Clearance and Debt Restructuring, which has seen constructive engagement at the beginning of the year. The EU remains actively engaged in supporting Zimbabwe's efforts toward arrears clearance and debt restructuring - essential steps to restoring access to international financing. In this context, she commended the continued cooperation with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, with whom she co-chairs the Governance Track under the Structured Dialogue framework.

Beyond broader regional and global initiatives in Zimbabwe, such as the EU's Global Gateway strategy and support for the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam - a critical source of hydroelectric power for the country - the EU continues to partner with Zimbabwe across multiple sectors. Through EU development cooperation, and together with EU Member States and European financial institutions acting as Team Europe, support focuses on agriculture, private sector development and resilience, climate action, biodiversity, governance, and youth and women's empowerment. These efforts are implemented in some cases through an integrated, landscape-based approach in selected geographic areas to maximise impact. Further collaboration in health, culture and humanitarian assistance complements the EU's overall engagement in Zimbabwe.

Looking ahead, the Ambassador expressed her enthusiasm about engaging more closely with Zimbabweans from all walks of life. "I very much look forward to travelling across Zimbabwe - to see first-hand the impact of our joint programmes, to meet our partners, and most importantly, to connect with the people of this beautiful country. I hope to listen, to learn and to better understand the hopes and aspirations that drive Zimbabweans forward."

She concluded by expressing solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who since 24 February 2022 have defended their country and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. She recalled the importance of basic principles for all countries and stressed that Russia's invasion violates the United Nations Charter and underscored the responsibility of all countries - in particular members of the United Nations Security Council - to uphold international law and safeguard international peace and security.

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Background information:

EU-Zimbabwe Relations

Since 1981, the European Union (EU) has been a steadfast and reliable partner to the people of Zimbabwe, maintaining uninterrupted support through periods of both progress and adversity. This enduring partnership is grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for a more prosperous and equitable future for both Zimbabwean and European societies. The EU remains open to continued dialogue and deeper engagement with Zimbabwe.

The EU is committed to walking together with Zimbabwe in her resolve to transition towards a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society as enunciated in Vision 2030, and the national priorities as spelled out in the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) 2026-2030.

Under the theme "Zimbabwe and the European Union: an inclusive and sustainable partnership", the EU is consolidating its relationship with Zimbabwe. This partnership is mutually beneficial, with both Zimbabwean and European institutions, private sector, and civil society at large playing a central role in shaping and implementing the partnership on the ground.

Through the Global Gateway, the EU aims at boosting smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. The EU and the EU Member States have allocated a significant budget of EUR 150 billion to support Africa's sustainable development through the Global Gateway. In the case of Zimbabwe, Team Europe is supporting through Global Gateway, the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam, a critical source of hydroelectric power for Zimbabwe. This project will safeguard the country's energy infrastructure and support the transition to a greener economy. Zimbabwe is also benefiting from certain regional Global Gateway investments such as NaturAfrica, a biodiversity and conservation program, as well as global programs in Health and Education. Other specific programs, such as Regional Fiber-Optic Cable, are currently being considered.

To promote inclusive and sustainable business development, the EU focuses on several priority areas: agricultural value chains, providing long-term loans to Zimbabwean companies via local commercial banks, fostering investment promotion, and empowering women economically. These efforts are complemented by enabling actions aimed at creating a conducive environment for European businesses to explore opportunities in Zimbabwe, while also supporting the inclusive and sustainable growth of Zimbabwean businesses.

Partnership in Trade

Since May 2012, Zimbabwe has benefited from duty-free and quota-free access to the markets of all 27 EU Member States under a preferential trade agreement, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

According to Eurostat (the EU's official statistics agency), the total trade volume between the EU and Zimbabwe reached USD 919 million in 2024. This marks a slight increase of 10% over the 2023 figure of USD881.

The EU is Zimbabwe's fourth-largest trading partner, after South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and China. Zimbabwe currently enjoys a positive trade balance (USD328M in 2024) with the EU, exporting more goods to the EU than it imports.

Zimbabwean companies can export freely to the EU, provided they meet EU internal market standards. These include health, safety, and sanitary/phytosanitary requirements, as well as voluntary market-driven standards like Global G.A.P. including adherence to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.

The EU is the largest buyer of Zimbabwean horticultural products, such as blueberries, oranges, mange-tout peas, and sugar snap peas, purchasing over 40% of exports.

Zimbabwe's main exports to the EU are agricultural products (mainly horticulture, but also tobacco and other products, etc.); manufactures (iron, steel and other semi manufactured products); mining products (diamonds, gold). All these benefit from duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market under the Economic Partnership Agreement.

The EU can export a wide range of goods to Zimbabwe without duties-except for about 13% of tariff lines that are excluded for strategic and revenue purposes. These include products of animal origin, cereals, beverages, paper, plastics and rubber, textiles and clothing, footwear, glass and ceramics, consumer electronics, and vehicles.

Zimbabwe's main imports from the EU in 2024 were machinery and equipment; chemical products; pharmaceutical products; precision instruments; cereals and vehicles.

The EU exports contribute to enhancing local industry and productivity-particularly in agriculture, transport, and tea and leather processing sectors.

Partnership in Investments and Support to Zimbabwe's Private Sector

Zimbabwe and the EU are also cooperating closely in the areas of business development and investment, recognising the central role of the private sector in driving sustainable growth, job creation and long-term economic resilience. Under the EU's Global Gateway initiative, this cooperation places particular emphasis on improving the investment climate and mobilising quality, sustainable investment.

According to the 2023 ZIDA Investment Report, total projected investment rose from USD 460 million in 2021 to EUR 870 million in 2023, representing an impressive 90% increase over three years. The EU and its Member States are supporting investors-both European and local-through various financial instruments.

Since 2021, the European Investment Bank (EIB)-the world's largest international financial institution-along with PROPARCO (with EU guarantees), has provided over USD 100 million in credit lines to Zimbabwean commercial banks (CABS, FCB, NMB, and Stanbic). These funds are on-lent to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering loans with longer tenures (up to 7 years), lower interest rates, and grace periods. These facilities have stimulated private investment, job creation, and economic resilience, with a focus on horticulture and renewable energy.

This collaboration with Zimbabwean banks is a strong signal of the EU's commitment to supporting the country's private sector and broader economy. The three credit lines have largely been drawn down and are performing well.