The European Union (EU), under its Team Europe framework, has returned to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) for the fourth consecutive year, reaffirming a broad-based partnership anchored in trade, investment and sustainable development.
At the centre of this year’s showcase is a unified pavilion bringing together the EU Delegation and nine Member States—France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium and Denmark—alongside European businesses, cultural institutions and implementing partners.
Framing the engagement, EU Ambassador Katrin Hagemann said:
“Our partnership delivers real results. With trade reaching US$919 million last year, we are closing in on the US$1 billion mark, driving jobs and growth. It is a truly win-win relationship.”
Her remarks set the tone for an exhibition grounded in measurable economic progress and long-term cooperation.
On trade and investment, the EU remains Zimbabwe’s leading horticultural export market, absorbing more than 40% of produce such as blueberries, citrus and peas. This relationship is underpinned by the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which grants duty-free, quota-free access to EU markets. Despite a positive trade balance, only about 200 Zimbabwean firms currently export to the bloc, highlighting significant untapped potential.
To address this gap, the EU is rolling out a €7.8 million horticulture support programme aimed at boosting export capacity. Complementing this, over US$100 million in financing—channeled through institutions such as the European Investment Bank and Proparco—has supported local banks including CABS, NMB, FCB and Stanbic, strengthening private sector growth and financial inclusion.
The EU pavilion features a diverse mix of embassies, private companies, NGOs and development agencies. Exhibitors span sectors such as mining technology, logistics, irrigation and smart lighting, alongside EU-funded programmes in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy and resilience-building.
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Interactive platforms at the stand provide entrepreneurs and youth with access to export guidance, technical support and market intelligence, while also showcasing the “Silani, Tinemi, EU With You” campaign.
The EU’s development footprint extends across key sectors. In youth empowerment and education, initiatives such as Erasmus+ and the Youth Sounding Board promote skills development, mobility and policy dialogue. In agriculture and climate action, programmes including RAIZ, SAHWIRA and HARVEST are advancing climate-smart farming, drought-resistant crops and sustainable value chains.
The pavilion also serves as a knowledge hub, linking stakeholders to funding, markets and innovation. In arts and culture, institutions such as Alliance Française and the Zimbabwe German Society are promoting cultural exchange and supporting the creative industries.
Through its Global Gateway strategy, the EU is backing large-scale infrastructure and green transitions, including the rehabilitation of Kariba Dam, alongside investments in renewable energy, digital connectivity and agribusiness development.
A defining feature of this year’s participation is the coherence of the Team Europe approach, aligning EU institutions, Member States and financial bodies into a single development force. This integrated model has enabled scale, efficiency and measurable impact—from financing SMEs to strengthening agricultural exports and advancing renewable energy solutions—bridging policy, finance and grassroots implementation.
The EU pavilion, located in Hall 4, positions itself as a dynamic hub for dialogue, innovation and partnership. The bloc reiterated its commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s ambition of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030 through inclusive and sustainable growth.
