EU ambassador pledges deeper partnership with Zimbabwe

Kariba Dam aerial view — infrastructure priority under the EU Global Gateway Strategy

HARARE — Katrin Hagemann, Ambassador of the European Union to Zimbabwe, has reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to strengthening ties with Harare, highlighting priorities that include arrears clearance, debt restructuring, and expanded trade and investment links.

Speaking at her first media engagement in Harare, Ambassador Hagemann described the EU as a steadfast and reliable partner and said recent diplomatic steps, including the EU Council’s decision to lift certain restrictive measures while maintaining the arms embargo, reflect growing confidence in Zimbabwe’s engagement with international partners.

Hagemann said the EU will prioritise economic stability and private‑sector growth, noting that only about 200 Zimbabwean companies currently export to the EU despite duty‑free, quota‑free access to all 27 Member States. She urged improvements in stability, predictability, and governance to attract investment and reach the symbolic milestone of US$1 billion in bilateral trade.

“We look forward to continued engagement that delivers tangible benefits for both Zimbabwe and the EU,” Hagemann said, stressing that trade expansion must be underpinned by reforms that encourage private‑sector participation and investor confidence.

The Ambassador highlighted renewed momentum in the Structured Dialogue on Arrears Clearance and Debt Restructuring, describing it as essential for Zimbabwe’s re‑engagement with international financial institutions. Hagemann said the EU will continue to support technical and policy work that enables Zimbabwe to clear arrears and access concessional financing.

She noted her role co‑chairing the Governance Track alongside the Ministry of Justice and emphasised that governance reforms are central to unlocking broader financial and development support.

Beyond macroeconomic issues, Hagemann outlined the EU’s broad development portfolio in Zimbabwe, which includes agriculture, climate action, biodiversity, governance, health, and women and youth empowerment. She pointed to infrastructure initiatives under the Global Gateway Strategy, including support for the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam, as critical to energy security and economic recovery.

Hagemann said she intends to engage directly with communities across Zimbabwe to better understand local priorities. She reiterated the EU’s solidarity with Ukraine and reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“I want to listen, to learn and to understand the hopes and aspirations that drive Zimbabweans forward,” she said.

EU partnership Zimbabwe 2026