Published: 02 July 2025

Zimbabwean business leaders and economic policy figures who attended the recent African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Annual Meetings in Abuja, Nigeria, say the event yielded significant benefits in the form of trade deals, investment opportunities, and strategic networking.

The high-level gathering - which also marked the election of George Elombi as Afreximbank's new President and Chair of the Board, succeeding Benedict Oramah - brought together a wide range of African stakeholders, including heads of state, ministers, trade experts, and top private sector players.

The Zimbabwean delegation featured several influential figures, including former Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa, ex-Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor and Mutapa Investment Fund CEO John Mangudya, current RBZ Governor John Mushayavanhu, CBZ Group CEO Lawrence Nyazema, FBC Holdings chief Trynos Kufazvinei, and presidential adviser and economist Eddie Cross.

Also part of the delegation were Bard Santner CEO Senziwani Sikhosana and Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Nigeria Maxwell Ranga. Sikhosana and his team reportedly held a separate meeting with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to explore investment and business collaboration.

Delegates engaged extensively in discussions on critical development themes, including the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), development of cross-border payment systems, and the strengthening of Africa–Caribbean trade and investment partnerships. The annual meetings were a convergence of ideas and policy actions aimed at driving intra-African trade, regional economic integration, and private sector participation in continental development.

During plenary sessions, Mangudya played an active role in shaping the discourse, presenting on structural and policy reforms needed to close Africa's widening trade finance gap. His interventions emphasized cost reduction in doing business, the improvement of trade infrastructure, and the enhancement of regional supply chains.

"Afreximbank continues to be a vital partner in our economic development, offering a platform to secure strategic funding and expand Zimbabwe's trade footprint across the continent and beyond," said one delegate following the event.

Business leaders highlighted the event's role in facilitating direct engagement with institutional investors, financial institutions, and regional entrepreneurs. Several commercial leads and investment interest were reportedly generated across sectors such as finance, agriculture, mining, and infrastructure.

This year's meeting also saw the launch of new investment and trade initiatives aimed at addressing financing constraints and enhancing Africa's participation in global value chains. These include funding mechanisms tailored to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and innovative financing tools aligned with AfCFTA objectives.

For Zimbabwe, the participation reaffirmed the country's intention to strengthen its position within Africa's evolving trade and investment landscape, leveraging platforms like Afreximbank to attract capital, boost exports, and accelerate sustainable development.

The Zimbabwean delegation is expected to brief key government and private sector stakeholders on the outcomes of the trip, with a view to translating the gains into tangible projects and partnerships.
- online

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