Source: 500 new Chinese businesses registered in Zimbabwe this year alone – herald
Prosper Ndlovu, National News Editor
CLOSE to 500 new Chinese businesses have been registered in Zimbabwe this year alone, with projected investments worth about US$2,5 billion — affirming the Asian giant’s position as the largest source of foreign direct investment to the country.
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Zhou Ding, revealed this in Harare during the recent 2025 Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Business Review Conference attended by key stakeholders including policy makers, industry and commerce experts, among others.
He told delegates to the conference, which ran under the theme: “Unlocking Business Potential through Policy, Partnership, and Productivity” that Zimbabwe’s unique economic transformation, strengthening Government-business dialogue, and fostering closer China-Zimbabwe economic ties has inspired many Chinese enterprises, who are already members of ZNCC and are eager to engage more deeply and contribute more to the economy.
Citing statistics from the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida), Amb Ding said Chinese assistance and investment projects were benefiting many communities across Zimbabwe with positive economic spin-offs.
“China remains Zimbabwe’s largest source of foreign investment. According to Zida, close to 500 new Chinese businesses have registered in Zimbabwe since January, with projected investments totalling US$2,5 billion,” he said.
“Notably, over one-third of these investments are in manufacturing — a clear testament to China’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s value addition, beneficiation, and industrialisation efforts.”
Key Chinese investment projects include the US$1,5 billion Dinson Iron and Steel Company in Midlands province, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe in Mashonaland East, the country’s first lithium sulphate plant. In Masvingo and Manicaland, alongside the Dinson Iron and Steel Company in Midlands, China is solidifying the foundations of Zimbabwe’s industrial growth. Large cement and fertiliser factories，among other key facilities, are being established nationwide by Chinese investors, delivering quality products, creating jobs, and generating tax revenue.
“As a global leader in renewable energy, China is actively supporting Zimbabwe’s green transition. Multiple solar power projects under construction are expected to add over 1 000 MW of installed capacity by 2028,” said Amb Ding.
“On the trade front, tobacco contract farming and exports to China — nearly 800 million — sustain the livelihoods of approximately half a million Zimbabweans. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s citrus, blueberries, and avocados are exploring the vast Chinese market.”
To energise exports between the two countries and across Africa, China has officially announced zero-tariff treatment for all exports from 53 African countries, including Zimbabwe.
“This policy is a game changer, it will substantially expand the access of Zimbabwean products to the Chinese market, promote local industrial growth, and further stimulate job creation. Both sides are now working diligently to implement the initiative,” said Amb Ding.
He said the ZNCC conference comes at a time when Zimbabwe and China have formulated respective development blueprints — China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy (NDS2).
“The strong alignment between these visions will present enormous opportunities for Zimbabwe and for our ZNCC members,” he added.
Amb Ding noted that during China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and Zimbabwe’s NDS1, the bilateral trade doubled from US$1,9 billion in 2021 to US$3,8 billion in 2024, while over 1 400 Chinese investors registered businesses in Zimbabwe since 2021.
Key projects that have been successfully completed include the expansion of Hwange Units 7&8, the upgrading of Mugabe International Airport, the NetOne National Broadband Phase III, the New Parliament Building and the National Pharmaceutical Warehouse.
“Looking ahead, we anticipate even more prosperous collaboration in the next five years. I encourage Chinese enterprises and our chamber members to align their businesses with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and Zimbabwe’s NDS2, and to contribute to Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development, power supply, digital transformation, and economic resilience,” he said.
“The Chinese Embassy remains committed to facilitating all forms of exchange and supporting Zimbabwe’s human capital development through training programmes, scholarships, and vocational education partnerships.
“The Chinese Embassy also looks forward to fostering even closer collaboration with all partners, including Government agencies and business organisations, to facilitate the smooth, efficient and lawful operations of Chinese enterprises, to further optimize Zimbabwe’s business environment, to address the challenge weighing on the ease of doing business and to ensure strict compliance by all investors with laws and regulations.”
China and Zimbabwe have always been sincere friends since the days of the liberation struggle to date.
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