Online Reporter
Michael Tome
Business Reporter
The Government is stepping up efforts to deepen cooperation with India across several strategic areas, including trade, investment, and technology, as the two nations move to unlock new economic opportunities.
This was revealed by Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Raj Modi, at the inaugural Hybrid Interactive Seminar on Enhancing India–Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Cooperation, held in Harare.
The event was organised by the Embassy of India in partnership with Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), ZimTrade, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, and SME chambers, and brought together leading industrial players from both countries.
It also featured the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), one of India’s most influential export organisations, whose members have played a significant role in transforming India’s global trade position.
India remains one of Zimbabwe’s most important economic partners, with cumulative investments exceeding US$600 million and supporting more than 15 000 direct and indirect jobs.
Zimbabwe’s exports to India surged to US$46,9 million in 2024, up from just US$10,4 million in 2022, driven by tobacco, agricultural produce and mineral shipments.
India’s exports to Zimbabwe stood at US$189,6 million in 2023, led by pharmaceuticals, cereals, machinery, plastics and vehicles.
Deputy Minister Modi said the objective was now to broaden this engagement in support of the national vision.
Speaking at the inaugural Hybrid Interactive Seminar on Enhancing India–Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Cooperation, ZIDA chief investment promotion officer Ms Silibaziso Chizwina highlighted the deepening bilateral economic ties and India’s growing confidence in Zimbabwe as an investment destination.
She said India was among the top sources of new investment inquiries and project registrations, driven by both large corporate players and medium-sized enterprises seeking opportunities in Africa’s rapidly transforming markets.
“Up to quarter three of this year, we had 113 confirmed Indian investors in the country across different sectors. The breakdown of where the money is going from the Indian investors is dominated by the mining sector.
“Manufacturing is also a big contributor and Varun Beverages is one of them, but we also have players in the energy sector, construction sector, which is upcoming and agriculture features prominently in the line of investors,” said Ms Chizwina.
The rise aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader strategy to attract foreign direct investment as a catalyst for industrial growth, technology transfer and export competitiveness.
With more than 100 Indian investors licensed in the first nine months of 2025 alone, officials expect full-year numbers to set a new record, further solidifying India’s role as a strategic economic partner for Zimbabwe.
This signals growing confidence in the local economy and a strengthening foundation for long-term trade and investment collaboration between the two countries.
Data shows that Indian investments are spread across a broad range of industries, with the bulk of capital flowing into sectors aligned with Zimbabwe’s industrialisation strategy and India’s global economic priorities.
The strong presence in manufacturing and mining positions India as a critical partner in Zimbabwe’s economic transformation, particularly as the country pushes to expand exports under its reindustrialisation agenda.
