Beijing, May 7 (NewsDay Live) — Zimbabwean firms are positioning themselves to take advantage of China’s new zero-tariff trade policy aimed at deepening economic ties with Africa, a Cabinet minister has said.
With annual trade between China and Africa estimated at about US$348 billion in 2025, Beijing introduced the policy earlier this month to strengthen the industrial capacity of African exporters while meeting its own import needs.
Speaking at the official opening of the Seminar for Media Professionals for Zimbabwe organised by the Academy for International Business Officials in Beijing, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Zhemu Soda said the zero-tariff policy presents lucrative opportunities for Zimbabwean firms to expand production and penetrate the Chinese market.
“China remains Zimbabwe’s leading source of foreign investment, with commitments surpassing US$10 billion,” Soda said.
“A new chapter in our economic cooperation has begun with the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, which took effect on May 1. Zimbabwean entities have already begun strategically positioning themselves to seize the opportunity and explore the vast Chinese market.”
Soda said the media had a critical role to play in strengthening economic ties between Harare and Beijing.
“I urge you to explore the linkage between media and commerce,” he said.
“Responsible media is a catalyst for economic growth. By fostering ethical communication, you facilitate the business linkages necessary for our trade relations to flourish.”
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Addressing the 29 Zimbabwean journalists attending the seminar, AIBO president Wu Bing said trade relations between Zimbabwe and China had grown significantly since diplomatic ties were established in 1980.
“In 2024, trade between China and Zimbabwe reached US$3.82 billion, up 24% year-on-year,” Wu said.
The Academy for International Business Officials is a government-run training institution under China’s Ministry of Commerce and the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
Last year, trade between Zimbabwe and China reportedly surpassed US$10 billion, driven largely by Zimbabwe’s tobacco and mineral exports to the world’s second-largest economy.
