Zimbabwe has called for a stronger focus on implementation and measurable economic outcomes as it deepens its economic partnership with China, with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira urging both countries to translate bilateral agreements into investment, trade, industrial development and employment.Professor Murwira was speaking at the 11th Session of the Zimbabwe–China Joint Commission on Economic, Technical and Trade Cooperation (JETC) held in Harare on Wednesday, 26 August 2026.The high-level meeting brought together officials from Zimbabwe and China to review progress in bilateral economic, technical and trade cooperation and identify areas for further collaboration.
Professor Murwira said Zimbabwe’s priority was to move beyond the signing of agreements and focus on their implementation.“Our focus must shift from agreements to immediate implementation, resolving challenges and setting clear timelines for our strengthened cooperation,” Professor Murwira said : He said the success of the latest JETC session would ultimately be determined by the economic results generated from the agreements and commitments made by the two countries.“The success of this session will be measured not by signatures, but by tangible results, realised investments, newly developed value chains, job creation and improved livelihoods for both our peoples.” The message comes as Zimbabwe seeks to strengthen production, attract investment and expand its export base under its broader industrialisation and economic development agenda.
China has become one of Zimbabwe’s most significant economic partners, with cooperation extending across energy, mining, infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture and technology.Professor Murwira cited several major Chinese-backed projects as examples of the depth of the relationship, including Hwange Power Station Units 7 and 8, the modernisation of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, lithium processing in Goromonzi and the Dinson Iron and Steel project at Manhize.
The projects have contributed to Zimbabwe’s infrastructure and productive capacity while creating opportunities for further economic activity around them.Professor Murwira also called for increased Chinese investment in industrial parks, transport corridors, mineral beneficiation and joint ventures, as Zimbabwe seeks to strengthen local production and expand industrial capacity. From raw materials to value-added productsA major theme emerging from the discussions is the need for Zimbabwe to capture more value from its natural resources.
Zimbabwe has significant deposits of lithium, platinum, chrome, nickel and iron ore. Developing processing and manufacturing capacity around these resources would allow the country to move further up the value chain while creating opportunities for local businesses, workers and suppliers. The Dinson Iron and Steel development at Manhize is one example of this approach, linking Zimbabwe’s mineral resources with industrial production. The same principle applies to agriculture, where Zimbabwe is seeking to move beyond the export of raw commodities towards processing, packaging and the production of goods capable of competing in international markets.Greater access to the Chinese marketMarket access was another important area of cooperation.
China’s decision to provide zero-tariff treatment for products from 53 African countries presents an opportunity for Zimbabwean producers seeking access to the Chinese market. Professor Murwira has emphasised the importance of addressing both tariff and non-tariff barriers to ensure that Zimbabwean businesses can make meaningful use of expanded market access. Zimbabwe’s first exports of blueberries to China have provided an early example of the opportunities available to local producers.The challenge now is to broaden the range of products entering the Chinese market and increase the country’s capacity to supply those markets consistently.
For Zimbabwean agriculture and manufacturing, access to China’s large consumer market could provide opportunities for increased exports, but producers will need to meet the required quality, certification, packaging and supply standards.Trade reaches record levelsThe economic relationship between Zimbabwe and China has continued to expand.Bilateral trade reached a record US$4.4 billion in 2025, representing growth of 15.2 percent from the previous year.
Zimbabwe recorded a trade surplus of approximately US$740 million during the year, according to figures presented during the Zimbabwe–China Investment Symposium. The figures underline the growing scale of commercial relations between the two countries.For Zimbabwe, however, the next objective is to ensure that expanding trade is accompanied by greater domestic production, value addition and diversification of exports.Investment and industrialisation.
The JETC discussions also come at a time when Zimbabwe is seeking to attract more investment into productive sectors of the economy. Chinese investment in Zimbabwe has expanded into mining, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, construction and infrastructure. At the Zimbabwe–China Investment Symposium held in Harare in July, Chinese officials and business representatives highlighted opportunities for further cooperation in industrialisation, mineral processing, infrastructure and manufacturing. The focus on investment is closely linked to Zimbabwe’s ambition to develop stronger domestic industries.Investment in processing plants, manufacturing facilities and supporting infrastructure can create opportunities beyond the projects themselves by generating demand for local suppliers, transport operators, contractors, professional services and skilled labour.
A relationship entering a new phase Zimbabwe and China established diplomatic relations on 18 April 1980, the day Zimbabwe attained independence. Over the decades, the relationship has expanded from diplomatic cooperation into a broad economic partnership.In September 2025, the two countries elevated their relationship to an All-Weather China-Zimbabwe Community for a Shared Future, creating a framework for deeper cooperation in trade, investment and development.
The latest JETC session reflects this expanding partnership, with both countries seeking to translate political commitment into practical economic cooperation.For Zimbabwe, the priorities are increasingly centred on investment, value addition, industrialisation, exports and employment. For China, Zimbabwe remains a market and investment destination with opportunities across mining, manufacturing, energy, agriculture and infrastructure. Professor Murwira’s message at the 11th JETC session therefore places implementation at the centre of the next phase of the relationship.
The strength of Zimbabwe–China relations will increasingly be reflected not only in agreements signed between governments, but in the businesses established, products manufactured, minerals processed, exports generated and jobs created as a result of those agreements.As Zimbabwe and China move forward, the focus is becoming increasingly clear: turning a long-standing diplomatic partnership into deeper economic cooperation that expands production, strengthens value chains and delivers tangible benefits to the people of both countries.
Looking East policy
Yes, Looking directly at opportunity