SHELMA SIBANDA
The European Union (EU) is investing over 600 million US dollars in Zimbabwe’s key sectors through its “Global Gateway” initiative, promoting sustainable development.
In an exclusive interview with The Diplomat, the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Ambassador Jobst von Kirchmann, has revealed that under the overarching concept of “Global Gateway,” the European Union (EU) has undertaken various projects in Zimbabwe, with a current investment of over 600 million US dollars.
Under the comprehensive umbrella of the Global Gateway concept, the EU is focusing on crucial areas such as health, education, culture, youths and agriculture.
Ambassador Kirchmann said, “All our engagement in Zimbabwe falls under what we call Global Gateway with these enlarged terms, sustainable connectivity, and sustainability. We have currently ongoing, over 600 million US dollar projects. It covers different areas. It covers health, education, culture, youth and many other areas.”
Among the flagship initiatives, the Ambassador highlighted two key programs. The first one aims to empower women and promote gender equality, with an investment of over 200 million euros. The second program focuses on green and climate-smart agriculture, with an investment of over 250 million euros. These initiatives contribute to overcoming challenges posed by factors such as drought and create employment opportunities and boost trade.
He said, “Now two specific initiatives, which are our flagships, the first one is on women empowerment and gender equality to over 200 to 210 million euros and the other one is on green and climate smart agriculture with over 100 to 250 million euros.”
Ambassador Kirchmann stressed the importance of these initiatives, particularly in addressing challenges such as drought, unemployment and trade-related barriers.
“What we do helps first of all is investment, creating jobs, and therefore also trade,” he stated, highlighting the interdependence between investment and trade.
The Ambassador also highlighted the EU’s efforts to support value chain development in Zimbabwe. The EU’s investments, channeled through the European Investment Bank, aim to enhance the country’s capacity to add value to raw materials. This support has already yielded success stories, including the start-up funding provided to a Leather production company in Bulawayo, which is now exporting its products to Spain
He said, “Yesterday I visited a Leather production based here in Bulawayo, which we are supporting. Which we at one time gave start-up funding. And I’m very happy to see that they were growing from doing a couple of shoes into producing for the Zimbabwe market and regional market and now also being able to export to Spain finalised products. I think that’s a fantastic success story.”
In addition, the Ambassador expressed pride in the fact that the EU is currently the largest buyer of Zimbabwean horticulture products. He attributed this achievement to the systematic support provided by the EU to various horticulture value chains. This support includes investments through the European Investment Bank, which offers long-term funding with low-interest rates, and assistance in fulfilling export requirements.
