Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
THE European union has reaffirmed its long standing partnership with Zimbabwe at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2026, marking its fourth consecutive year of participation under the ‘Team Europe’ banner.
EU officials said the deepening cooperation in trade, investment and sustainable development was expected to reinforce Zimbabwe’s development agenda and contribute to broader economic transformation.
This year’s edition of the trade showcase brought together an EU delegation and a record number of Member States, including France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium and Denmark, alongside European businesses, cultural institutions and development partners.
Officials said the unified pavilion reflected a coordinated “Team Europe” approach, designed to maximise impact through closer collaboration between governments, the private sector and civil society.
The theme of this year’s fair, “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries,” closely aligned with the EU–Zimbabwe partnership, which has been anchored by the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), a framework that has guided trade relations between the two sides since 2012.
Speaking at the exhibition, EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe Katrin Hagemann said the partnership had continued to yield measurable economic gains for both parties.
“Our partnership has delivered real results, with trade reaching approximately US$919 million last year, bringing us closer to the US$1 billion mark. This has translated into jobs, growth and increased market opportunities. Zimbabwean producers have continued to gain ground in the European market, while European technology and machinery have contributed to improving productivity and value addition locally,” she said.
The EU has remained Zimbabwe’s largest export destination for horticultural produce, accounting for more than 40 percent of exports, including blueberries, citrus fruits and specialty vegetables such as mange tout and sugar snap peas.
Amb Hagemann noted that although Zimbabwe continued to enjoy a positive trade balance estimated at US$328 million under the EPA framework, export participation remained limited, with only about 200 local companies currently registered to access the European market.
“To unlock this potential, the EU has launched a 7,8 million euro capacity-building initiative targeting the horticulture sector, aimed at improving compliance with international standards and enhancing export readiness,” said Amb Hagemann.
Beyond trade, she said the EU’s engagement has increasingly focused on strengthening Zimbabwe’s private sector through targeted investments supported by European financial institutions.
Over the past five years, more than US$100 million has been channelled to local commercial banks, including CABS, First Capital Bank, NMB and Stanbic, through partnerships with the European Investment Bank and Proparco.
“These financing facilities have provided longer-term, affordable capital to businesses, supporting investment, job creation and financial inclusion. They are a key component of our broader Global Gateway strategy, which aims to drive sustainable and inclusive growth,” said Amb Hagemann.
She added that the Global Gateway initiative has also supported critical infrastructure projects, notably the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam, which she described as central to Zimbabwe’s energy security and transition towards renewable energy.
Amb Hagemann said cooperation between the EU and Zimbabwe extended beyond economic development to include climate action, biodiversity conservation, governance and social development.
“Our approach has increasingly adopted a landscape-based model, which recognises the interconnectedness between communities and their natural environment. This ensures that conservation efforts go hand in hand with economic empowerment, particularly for women and youth.”
She said additional programmes in health, culture and gender equality remained key pillars of the EU’s development cooperation, reinforcing an inclusive approach to national growth.
At the exhibition, the Team Europe Pavilion served as a focal point for engagement, showcasing a range of EU funded projects and initiatives spanning climate smart agriculture, youth empowerment and education.
Initiatives such as Erasmus+ and the Team Europe Youth Sounding Board were highlighted as important platforms for skills development and youth participation in policy dialogue.
“The pavilion has provided a space not only to showcase our work but also to engage directly with businesses, entrepreneurs and young people. It has enabled access to information on export requirements, technical support and investment opportunities,” said Amb Hagemann.
Visitors also had the opportunity to learn more about the EU’s “Silani, Tinemi, EU with You” campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the bloc’s development initiatives in Zimbabwe.
She said the continued presence of Team Europe at ZITF demonstrated a shared commitment to strengthening economic ties and supporting Zimbabwe’s long term development trajectory.
“This partnership is not static — it continues to evolve through collaboration and shared ambition. We remain committed to working with Zimbabwe as it advances towards its vision of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030,” said Amb Hagemann.
