Online Reporter
Sunday News Reporter
ZIMPAPERS has taken a significant step in its sustainability journey after entering into a strategic partnership with the Green Building Council of Zimbabwe (GBCZ), a collaboration that reinforces the media giant’s commitment to environmental stewardship, responsible business practices and sustainable development.
The partnership, which grants Zimpapers institutional membership to GBCZ, will provide the organisation with access to green-building resources, sustainability research, industry networking opportunities, training programmes and expert advisory services. In return, Zimpapers will leverage its multimedia platforms to promote sustainability awareness.
The milestone marks a new chapter for Zimbabwe’s largest integrated media house as it aligns its corporate strategy with global and national efforts to build a greener and more resilient future.
Commenting on the partnership, Zimpapers Chief Executive Officer William Chikoto said the collaboration reflects the organisation’s commitment to embedding sustainability at the core of its business strategy and reinforcing its position as the pacesetter in Zimbabwe’s media and packaging industries.
“At Zimpapers, we recognise that sustainability is no longer a peripheral consideration but a strategic business imperative that underpins long-term value creation, resilience and stakeholder trust. As Zimbabwe’s leading integrated media and packaging company, we have a responsibility not only to inform, educate and inspire action on sustainable development issues, but also to demonstrate leadership through the responsible management of our own operations and business practices,” said Chikoto.
He noted that the partnership with the Green Building Council of Zimbabwe represents a significant step in advancing the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda and aligns with its vision of building a future-ready organisation that delivers sustainable growth while creating positive societal impact.
“This collaboration marks an important milestone in our sustainability journey. It strengthens our capacity to contribute meaningfully to national development priorities, climate resilience and environmental stewardship while enhancing our ability to integrate global ESG best practices across our business. Through this partnership, we are positioning Zimpapers to remain at the forefront of innovation and responsible corporate citizenship in the media and packaging sectors.”
Chikoto added that the partnership will enable Zimpapers to deepen stakeholder engagement and provide audiences with credible, impactful and solutions-focused content that promotes climate action, green innovation, resource efficiency and sustainable living.
“The media has a critical role in shaping public discourse, influencing behaviour and accelerating the adoption of sustainable practices. As an industry leader, Zimpapers is committed to leading from the front by leveraging our platforms, partnerships and expertise to drive awareness, inspire action and support Zimbabwe’s transition to a more sustainable and resilient future.
Our ambition is not only to remain the market leader, but to set the benchmark for sustainability, innovation and responsible business leadership across the industries we serve.”
The partnership comes at a time when businesses across the globe are increasingly embracing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles as a key determinant of long-term success and sustainability.
For Zimpapers, the agreement presents opportunities to advance resource efficiency, strengthen sustainability knowledge within the organisation and support conversations that promote environmental responsibility across all sectors of the economy.
Through GBCZ’s expertise, Zimpapers employees will gain access to workshops, conferences and sustainability-focused programmes designed to equip institutions with practical solutions for a greener future.
GBCZ Head of Secretariat Clara Mapokotera welcomed the partnership, saying it demonstrates the growing recognition that sustainability requires collaboration across industries.
“The Green Building Council of Zimbabwe is delighted to partner with Zimpapers, an institution that reaches millions of Zimbabweans across print, broadcasting and digital platforms.
Achieving national sustainability objectives requires awareness, education and collective action, and the media is a powerful catalyst in that process.”
She said the partnership would help bring sustainability conversations closer to communities and businesses throughout the country.
“This partnership goes beyond a conventional corporate arrangement. It creates an opportunity to mainstream conversations around green buildings, climate resilience, resource efficiency and sustainable development. Through Zimpapers’ extensive reach, we can inspire more organisations and individuals to embrace sustainable practices and contribute towards a greener Zimbabwe.”
The collaboration is expected to amplify national discourse around climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy adoption and responsible consumption, issues that are increasingly shaping development agendas around the world.
For decades, Zimpapers has played a central role in informing and educating Zimbabweans on matters of national importance. Through this latest initiative, the organisation is extending that role by positioning itself as a champion of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
As Zimbabwe pursues sustainable economic growth and climate-resilient development, partnerships such as the one between Zimpapers and GBCZ are expected to play an increasingly important role in driving awareness, innovation and action.
Summing up the significance of the collaboration, Chikoto said sustainability must become part of the DNA of every forward-looking institution.
“We are not just reporting on sustainability; we are embedding it into the way we do business and the way we contribute to Zimbabwe’s future. This partnership reflects our commitment to creating lasting value for our stakeholders, our communities and generations to come.”
For GBCZ, the significance of the partnership lies in the opportunity to transform sustainability from a specialist conversation into a national movement.
“Zimpapers is uniquely positioned to transform sustainability from a technical discussion into a national conversation that drives real change. Together, we can inspire action, celebrate innovation and help build a more sustainable Zimbabwe.”
With the partnership now in place, both organisations are confident that their combined strengths will help accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices, demonstrating that responsible corporate leadership and sustainable development go hand in hand.
