By Cremilda Macuácua, China Africa News
HARARE August 28, 2026 — China and Zimbabwe have renewed efforts to strengthen their economic relationship, with officials from both countries calling for greater trade, investment and industrial cooperation.
The commitment was made during the 11th Session of the Joint Commission on Economic, Technical and Trade Cooperation, held in Harare on Wednesday. The meeting brought together senior officials as Zimbabwe seeks to expand its export markets and attract investment into sectors capable of generating employment and economic growth.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amon Murwira, said the two countries needed to move from agreements to practical economic results. He called for increased trade and investment, greater value addition and the creation of more jobs.
The discussions focused on implementing 10 partnership actions launched at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit in Beijing. The two sides also agreed to expand bilateral trade and accelerate negotiations on an Economic Partnership for Shared Development agreement.
China is already one of Zimbabwe’s most important economic partners, with Chinese investment extending across mining, energy, agriculture, infrastructure and manufacturing.
The relationship is also beginning to create greater access for Zimbabwean products to the Chinese market. Zimbabwe sent its first consignment of blueberries to China in July, following Beijing’s decision to introduce zero tariffs for imports from 53 African countries.
Zimbabwe sees the policy as an opportunity to increase exports and move away from an economic model heavily dependent on the export of raw materials.
Chinese Assistant Minister of Commerce Zhang Li said China was prepared to work with Zimbabwe to turn existing agreements into concrete projects. He also encouraged Chinese companies to increase investment in Zimbabwe and support the development of the country’s mining and industrial sectors.
For Harare, the challenge is now to convert the longstanding political relationship with Beijing into broader economic opportunities for local businesses and workers.
The talks come as China continues to deepen its economic engagement across Africa, while African governments seek greater access to the Chinese market and more investment in manufacturing and value-added industries.
Zimbabwe’s government has increasingly placed industrialisation at the centre of its economic strategy, making its partnership with China an important part of its efforts to expand production, exports and employment.
