Online Reporter
Kudzanai Sharara in ALGIERS, Algeria
THE Zimbabwe-Algeria Trade and Investment Business Dialogue concluded here yesterday with a resounding commitment from the African Export-Import Bank to facilitate and de-risk trade and investment opportunities between the two nations.
Zimbabwe maintains strong and deep-rooted relations with Algeria rooted in mutual respect, development diplomacy and economic sovereignty.
The two countries held a trade and investment business dialogue yesterday on the sidelines of the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair 2025.
Dr Gainmore Zanamwe, Director of Intra-African Trade Bank at Afreximbank, highlighted the bank’s extensive suite of tools designed to encourage investment across the continent.
He said the bank provides direct financial support through debt and equity and offers project preparation facilities to help promoters develop “bankable projects.”
The bank also focuses on the “soft side” of investment by providing training and capacity building for local investment promotion agencies.
“So, what we’re actually trying to promote here is trade between Algeria and Zimbabwe, investment between Algeria and Zimbabwe, and we’ll go with our suite of investment guarantees.
“But we don’t only stop there. We also have got other tools in terms of the financial support. So, in addition to the investment guarantees, we also provide financial support in terms of debt, equity, and even project preparation facilities to ensure that we assist promoters to prepare bankable projects that can be financed by Afreximbank and some of our sister institutions through some syndication arrangements,” said Dr Zanamwe.
Dr Zanamwe said in place is a US$2 billion facility that economic players in Zimbabwe can tap into and boost agriculture production and processing.
“We would like to see Algerian businesses in Harare in the near future to actually go and explore investment opportunities in Zimbabwe.
“From Afreximbank, I would like to assure that whatever deals are going to be completed here, Afreximbank will be there to support you to ensure that those deals are fully implemented,” said Dr Zanamwe.
In his opening remarks, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Algeria, Vusumuzi Ntonga, showcased a wide array of opportunities for Algerian businesses. He highlighted Zimbabwe’s strong agricultural and mineral sectors.
“We have a sound agricultural base,” Ambassador Ntonga said, “We produce horticultural products, tea, coffee.”
He noted the potential for Algeria, a nation that has achieved self-sufficiency in staples like wheat and maize through underground irrigation, to partner with Zimbabwe to secure tropical products.
