Online Reporter
Zimpapers Politics Hub
China has thrown its weight behind Zimbabwe’s female industrialists, with Ambassador Zhou Ding saying his country’s landmark Zero-Tariff Trade Policy for African countries offers massive opportunities for women-led businesses to grow.
Speaking at the official launch of the Zimbabwe Women in Manufacturing (ZWIM) in Harare yesterday, Ambassador Zhou outlined a three-pronged strategy to empower women-led enterprises, describing the initiative as a game-changer for the country’s manufacturing sector.
Since May 1, 2026, China has implemented comprehensive zero-tariff treatment for all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties with China, including Zimbabwe. “This landmark policy opens China’s vast market wider to Zimbabwean products, creating unprecedented export prospects, especially for women-led enterprises,” Ambassador Zhou said.
He added: “Stronger exports will help attract more investment in local processing and manufacturing, which in turn will create more jobs and boost foreign exchange earnings. What we pursue is down-to-earth cooperation that turns favourable policies into real opportunities and tangible gains for ordinary people, particularly women and young entrepreneurs.”
The Ambassador announced three priority areas to support women in manufacturing: first, scaling up targeted capacity-building and professional training programmes; second, encouraging enterprises of both countries to engage in in-depth industrial exchanges and share proven, mature, cost-efficient manufacturing technologies; and third, leveraging the zero-tariff policy to help more high-quality Zimbabwean manufactured goods enter the Chinese market.
“I am confident that working together, we can contribute to local value addition and industrial transformation, fulfilling Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030,” he said.
Ambassador Zhou praised the launch of ZWIM, which unites female entrepreneurs across agro-processing, textiles, leather, furniture and paper production. “Every woman here is not only a pioneer growing her own business but also a core contributor to accelerating Zimbabwe’s industrial upgrading,” he said, adding that ZWIM’s vision aligns with President Mnangagwa’s national philosophy: “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo — a nation is built by its own people.”
Quoting a Shona proverb, “Rume rimwe harikombi churu,” and its Chinese equivalent, “A single tree cannot form a forest,” the Ambassador urged unity. “Today’s launch marks a meaningful milestone for women’s economic empowerment and deeper China-Zimbabwe industrial cooperation. May women manufacturers thrive and shine brightly.”
