Today’s Europe Day celebrations take place amid an evolving global landscape, marked by rising geopolitical tensions and emerging global crises. In response, the European Union is taking decisive steps to strengthen its strategic resilience — increasing defence spending, investing in innovation, and reinforcing its defence industry. Yet even as it adapts to these new realities, the EU remains firmly rooted in its founding values: human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights. Central to this vision is the EU’s unwavering commitment to its partnerships — especially those built on mutual trust, shared values, and long-term collaboration, such as its relationship with Zimbabwe.

Today in Harare, the EU reaffirms and celebrates the enduring partnership between Zimbabwe and the European Union — a partnership grounded in mutual respect and a joint vision for a more prosperous, inclusive future. In his Europe Day address, EU Ambassador Jobst von Kirchmann underlines this commitment, stating: “Europe is open — to cooperation, to fair trade, and to a shared future that benefits us all. A shared future powered by a thriving EU and Zimbabwe private sector” Trade between the EU and Zimbabwe has increased by over 30% since 2021, and investment has surged by 90% over the past three years — clear indicators of the EU’s focus on promoting private sector development and economic cooperation.

This year’s reception, held under the theme “Global Gateway: powered by the private sector,” highlights the pivotal role of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative in mobilising sustainable public and private investment — including in Zimbabwe. The initiative supports critical infrastructure, green transitions, and inclusive growth, recognising the central role of the private sector in driving development. Building on this momentum, the EU will host the first-ever EU–Zimbabwe Business Forum, from 20–22 May 2025 in Harare. The Forum will connect Zimbabwean and European investors, businesses, and public institutions, offering a platform to explore new investment opportunities and strengthen economic ties. It reflects the EU’s enduring commitment to fostering a sustainable and inclusive business environment — one where local entrepreneurs and European partners can thrive together.

Culture as a Common Language

Europe Day guests will enjoy a rich cultural celebration featuring gastronomy, music, and artistic expression. 

The popular “European Village” returns this year, hosted by the EU Ambassador alongside Ambassadors and Honorary Consuls from all 16 EU Member States represented in Zimbabwe. The Village showcases the vibrant and diverse cultural heritage of Europe.

A radio quiz series, “Guess the Country,” will run over the next two weeks, offering listeners the chance to win prizes while discovering fun facts about EU countries. The quiz will be accessible via the EU Delegation and EU Member State social media platforms.

On 10 May, the cultural programme continues with “Harmonies of Expression,” a landmark festival at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. Organized by the Zimbabwe chapter of the EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), the event brings together Zimbabwean and European creatives to explore the nexus of art, heart and science, through collaborative works. Admission is free and open to all.

Key points:

• Europe Day is celebrated on 9th of May, commemorating the Schuman Declaration of 1950.
• The EU motto: “United in diversity.”
• The EU was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.
• The EU opened its Delegation in Harare immediately after the independence of the country.
• With 450 million people in 27 countries, the EU constitutes a single market providing duty-free and quota-free access for Zimbabwean products.
• 40% of Zimbabwe’s horticultural products are exported to the EU.
• Team Europe’s current development portfolio totals almost USD 600 million in Zimbabwe.
• Over USD 600 million dedicated to the two Team Europe Initiatives on “Gender equality and Women’s Empowerment” and “Greener and climate-smart agriculture.”
• Over USD 50 million have been allocated by the EU through its humanitarian agency ECHO since 2020. 

In Zimbabwe:

Background information:

EU–Zimbabwe Relations

Since 1981, the European Union (EU) has been a steadfast and reliable partner to the people of Zimbabwe, maintaining uninterrupted support through periods of both progress and adversity. This enduring partnership is grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for a more prosperous and equitable future for both Zimbabwean and European societies. The EU remains open to continued dialogue and deeper engagement with Zimbabwe.

In line with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1)—which sets out the country's ambition to become a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income economy by 2030—the EU is committed to walking this journey together with Zimbabwe. 

Through the Global Gateway Strategy and under the theme “The European Union and Zimbabwe: partnering for inclusive and sustainable business development”, the EU is consolidating its cooperation with Zimbabwe. This partnership is mutually beneficial, with both Zimbabwean and European private sectors playing a central role in implementing the Global Gateway on the ground.

To promote inclusive and sustainable business development, the Global Gateway Strategy focuses on several priority areas: agricultural value chains, providing long-term loans to Zimbabwean companies via local commercial banks, fostering investment promotion, and empowering women economically. These efforts are complemented by enabling actions aimed at creating a conducive environment for European businesses to explore opportunities in Zimbabwe, while also supporting the inclusive and sustainable growth of Zimbabwean businesses.

Trade

Since May 2012, Zimbabwe has benefited from duty-free and quota-free access to the markets of all 27 EU Member States under a preferential trade agreement, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). 

According to Eurostat (the EU’s official statistics agency), the total trade volume between the EU and Zimbabwe reached USD 881 million in 2023. This marks increase of over 30% since 2021, positioning the EU as Zimbabwe’s fourth-largest trading partner, after South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and China. Zimbabwe currently enjoys a positive trade balance with the EU, exporting more goods to the EU than it imports.

Zimbabwean companies can export freely to the EU, provided they meet EU internal market standards. These include health, safety, and sanitary/phytosanitary requirements, as well as voluntary market-driven standards like GlobalG.A.P., respect for human rights, and environmental protections.

The EU is the largest buyer of Zimbabwean horticultural products, such as blueberries, oranges, mange-tout peas, and sugar snap peas, purchasing over 40% of exports. 

Main exports to the EU were agricultural products (mainly horticulture, but also tobacco and other products, etc. 47.3%); manufactured (iron, steel and other semi manufactured products 26.2%); mining products (diamonds, gold, etc 18.9%). For the EU, Belgium is currently used as the main entrance point to the EU’s Single Market with a share of 56.5% of Zimbabwe exports to the EU.

The EU can export a wide range of goods to Zimbabwe without duties—except for about 13% of tariff lines that are excluded for strategic and revenue purposes. These include products of animal origin, cereals, beverages, paper, plastics and rubber, textiles and clothing, footwear, glass and ceramics, consumer electronics, and vehicles. 

Main imports from the EU in 2023 were machinery and equipment (37.2%); chemical products (8.6%); pharmaceutical products (8.1%); precision instruments (7.8%); cereals (7.2%) and vehicles (6.7%). Germany was the main supplier of Zimbabwe in 2023 with a share of 17.3% of Zimbabwe imports from the EU

The EU exports contribute to enhancing local industry and productivity—particularly in agriculture, transport, and tea and leather processing sectors.

Support to Zimbabwe’s Private Sector and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Zimbabwe and the EU also cooperate closely in the area of business and investment. Since 2021, the European Investment Bank (EIB)—the world’s largest international financial institution—along with PROPARCO (with EU guarantees), has provided over USD 100 million in credit lines to Zimbabwean commercial banks (CABS, FCB, NMB, and Stanbic). These funds are on-lent to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering loans with longer tenures (up to 7 years), lower interest rates, and grace periods. These facilities have stimulated private investment, job creation, and economic resilience, with a focus on horticulture and renewable energy.

This collaboration with Zimbabwean banks is a strong signal of the EU’s commitment to supporting the country’s private sector and broader economy. The three credit lines have largely been drawn down and are performing well.

According to the 2023 ZIDA Investment Report, total projected investment rose from USD 460 million in 2021 to EUR 870 million in 2023, representing an impressive 90% increase over three years. The EU and its Member States are supporting investors—both European and local—through various financial instruments.

Outlook on Trade and Investment

Encouraged by these positive trends, the EU will host the first-ever EU–Zimbabwe Business Forum in Harare from 20–22 May 2025. The EU is committed to reaching the milestone of USD 1 billion in both trade and investment with Zimbabwe in the near future.

Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid

Since 1981, the EU and its 27 Member States have consistently supported Zimbabwe, even during difficult times. As Team Europe—comprising the EU, its Member States, their agencies, and the EIB—the EU strives to deliver development cooperation more effectively and efficiently. Today, the EU is Zimbabwe’s largest provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Team Europe’s current bilateral development portfolio totals almost USD 600 million. Two flagship Team Europe Initiatives, involving the EU, EU institutions, EU member States and to which Switzerland has also aligned) are Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and Greener and Climate-Smart Agriculture. 

The EU development programme focuses primarily on horticulture value chains for EU export, and drought-resistant crops, particularly traditional grains. These initiatives aim to enhance food sovereignty and climate resilience. Enabling actions are in place to ensure that investments are inclusive and sustainable, with special attention to resilience building, women and youth empowerment, good governance, and skills development.

Since 2020, through its humanitarian agency ECHO, the EU has allocated over EUR 50 million in humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe. This support includes food and nutrition aid (including in urban areas), protection for returning migrants, education in emergencies, disaster preparedness, environmental health, and cholera response.