Almot Maqolo, Staff Writer 
CHINA’S ambassador to Zimbabwe says bilateral trade between the two countries reached a record high US$4,4 billion last year, highlighting deepening economic ties as Beijing moves to eliminate tariffs on African imports.
Zimbabwe exports tobacco, minerals and agricultural products to China, while Chinese goods ranging from agricultural machinery to consumer appliances are widely available in the southern African nation.
“In 2025, our bilateral trade hit a record high of US$4,4 billion,” ambassador Zhou Ding told business leaders at the Zimbabwe Business Hall of Fame induction ceremony recently.
He said Chinese investment in Zimbabwe has already topped US$10 billion, spanning lithium processing, steel, cement and solar energy projects.
“Major Chinese-invested projects…are delivering tangible benefits: they create jobs, increase fiscal revenues, and actively promote technology transfer and skills training,” Zhou said.
The envoy announced that starting May 1, China will grant zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing.
“This is the first time a major global economy has ever granted unilateral, full-coverage zero-tariff market access to the African continent,” Zhou said.
“For Zimbabwe, this means more Zimbabwean products can enter China’s vast market tariff-free.”
Zhou urged Zimbabwean entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity.
“I encourage all business leaders and policymakers here tonight to support Zimbabwean farmers, producers and exporters in tapping into the Chinese market,” he said.
Economists say the removal of tariffs could significantly boost Zimbabwe’s export earnings, particularly in agriculture and mining, while encouraging local producers to scale up output to meet Chinese demand.
The ambassador also pointed to alignment between China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2, highlighting opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, digital economy and green development.
The event saw NetOne Group Chief Executive Officer, Raphael Mushanawani, inducted into the 2026 Business Hall of Fame.
Other distinguished business leaders drawn from diverse sectors of Zimbabwe’s economy who were honoured on the night included Shepherd Fungura, Chief Executive Officer of ZB Holdings, and Luxon Zembe, Chairperson of CBZ Holdings, both representing the financial services sector.
National Biotechnology Authority Chief Executive Officer, Dexter Savadye, Justin Machibaya of Homelux Group, Glen Peters of KDV Bedding; Wilfred Matukeni of the National Oil Infrastructure Company and Moses Kurenjekwa of Ecobank Zimbabwe were also among the inductees.
In addition, Tinashe Manzungu, President of the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association; Aaron Kumanja of Realtor Ville Group and Nennice Chinhara of Glow Petroleum were honoured.
