Published: 29 April 2025

British companies are preparing to inject nearly US$1 billion into Zimbabwe's economy, targeting critical sectors such as dairy production, mining, and renewable energy. The investment drive signals a significant shift in trade relations and renewed confidence in Zimbabwe's economic direction.

The development comes amid improving diplomatic and economic ties between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom, fostered under President Emmerson Mnangagwa's "Zimbabwe is open for business" policy. The policy, a cornerstone of the Second Republic's international re-engagement efforts, has been instrumental in attracting foreign direct investment and rebuilding trust with global partners.

Speaking at the recently concluded Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, Mr Martin Alsop, a representative of the British Embassy in Harare, revealed that a robust pipeline of investment projects is already underway, with direct support from the embassy.

"On the investment side, we have a pipeline of close to a billion dollars from what we are working on from British companies, covering the dairy sector, mining, and solar renewable energy," Alsop said. "These are deals that we, as the British Embassy, are supporting to ensure they are completed and operational in Zimbabwe. It's a win-win situation. It's good for the UK and good for Zimbabwe."

The prospective investments are expected to generate employment, boost production in under-capitalised sectors, and provide critical infrastructure to support sustainable economic growth. Solar energy projects in particular could help address Zimbabwe's persistent power shortages, while the dairy and mining investments align with national goals of value addition and food security.

Under President Mnangagwa, the government has stepped up efforts to improve the ease of doing business, streamline investment approvals, and enforce policy consistency. These reforms, along with renewed global outreach, are central to Zimbabwe's ambitions of becoming a middle-income economy by 2030.

The United Kingdom's growing economic involvement is being seen as a major endorsement of Zimbabwe's reform agenda and a sign that past diplomatic rifts are gradually healing.

President Mnangagwa has repeatedly emphasised his administration's commitment to creating a stable and welcoming investment climate, guided by the principle of being "a friend to all and an enemy to none." With nearly a billion dollars in British investments now on the horizon, that vision appears to be gaining traction on the international stage.
- the herald