The Uganda-Zimbabwe Business Forum officially commenced, marking a key milestone in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting intra-African trade and investment. The opening sessions brought together government officials, diplomats, investment promotion agencies, and private sector players from both countries, united by a shared goal of turning long-standing political ties into tangible economic outcomes.
H.E. Paul Amoru, Uganda’s Resident Ambassador to Zimbabwe, set the tone by emphasizing the need for practical results:
“We are here to deepen relations between our two countries, but more importantly to ensure that these engagements translate into real trade and investment.”
Hon. Mulimba John, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Affairs), reinforced this message, highlighting the urgency of action:
“We have the frameworks… what is needed now is action. We must use platforms like #AfCFTA to grow our trade and remove barriers.”
Zimbabwe’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade stressed the importance of unlocking the trade potential between the two nations, noting that existing trade remains below its full potential and urging concrete results that deliver shared prosperity.
Technical sessions led by the Zimbabwe Investment & Development Agency (ZIDA) and ZimTrade explored investment opportunities and strategies. ZIDA highlighted improvements in ease of doing business through digitalization, with investment processes moving largely online to increase efficiency. ZimTrade emphasized a focused, sector-driven approach, prioritizing areas where Zimbabwe has a competitive advantage rather than promoting all sectors simultaneously.
A recurring message throughout the forum was the need for Africa to invest in itself. Delegates stressed leveraging African capital, building regional value chains, and fostering collaboration over competition. Key sectors identified for partnership include agriculture, mining and mineral beneficiation, tourism, energy, and financial services, with strong emphasis on value addition and industrialization.
The Forum now shifts focus to business-to-business engagements, with the aim of translating dialogue into concrete deals and partnerships. The event underscores a clear path forward: deeper cooperation, stronger private sector involvement, and a shared commitment to driving sustainable economic growth across the continent.
