Zimbabwe, India push to turn diplomatic ties into trade and investment gains

India’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Bramah Kumar

HARARE – Zimbabwe and India are stepping up efforts to transform long-standing diplomatic relations into tangible economic benefits, with officials and business leaders calling for increased trade, investment, and industrial cooperation.

The renewed push emerged at a high-level seminar hosted by the Embassy of India in Zimbabwe and the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre at the Hyatt Regency Harare, The Meikles. Stakeholders at the meeting said the focus must now shift from political goodwill to measurable economic outcomes, as trade volumes between the two countries remain below potential. SARDC executive director Munetsi Madakufamba said current trade levels do not reflect the strength of bilateral ties.

“Trade remains modest, the structure is uneven, and outcomes do not reflect the relationship we often speak about,” Madakufamba said.

He highlighted a persistent imbalance in the trade relationship, with Zimbabwe largely exporting raw materials while importing finished goods from India.

“This model limits value addition locally and constrains industrial growth,” he said, urging policymakers to align Zimbabwe’s production capacity with India’s expanding market demand.

India’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Bramah Kumar, said Indian investment in Zimbabwe has already surpassed US$600 million, with more than 25 Indian companies operating in sectors such as manufacturing, mining, and services.

However, Kumar stressed that stronger frameworks are needed to unlock further growth.

“Government-to-government frameworks are essential to unlock stronger business-to-business relations,” he said.

Economic analysts say the Zimbabwe–India corridor presents significant opportunities, particularly in value addition and industrialisation. Priority sectors identified at the seminar include pharmaceuticals, mining beneficiation, and agro-processing areas, seen as critical to Zimbabwe’s economic transformation agenda. Experts note that India’s global strength in pharmaceuticals and manufacturing could help Zimbabwe develop local industries, reduce imports, and create jobs.

Madakufamba also called for the faster implementation of existing bilateral agreements and better utilisation of investment platforms such as the Mutapa Investment Fund.

“The opportunity is clear. The focus now must be on execution deliberately, consistently and at scale,” he said.

Zimbabwe and India have maintained close diplomatic relations for decades, but policymakers say the next phase must prioritise trade expansion, industrial investment, and technology transfer. With both countries seeking to strengthen economic resilience, stakeholders say converting goodwill into concrete projects will be key to unlocking the full potential of the partnership.

Zimbabwe India trade relations; SARDC economic seminar