Zimbabwe Business Council 2025 Review

Photo captured at ZIBCO's 2025 AGM

As we come to the close of 2025, we would like to take a moment to reflect on what has been a defining year for the Zimbabwean Business Council - UAE.

This year marked an important inflection point for ZIBCO. Early in 2025, we collectively agreed that to better serve our members, deliver more impact, and future-proof growth, the Council needed to evolve. As a result, we refined and further articulated our vision, moving from a focus on activity and engagement to a clearer ambition:

To position and promote ZIBCO as the premier catalyst for Zimbabwe–UAE business growth, fostering a dynamic ecosystem that amplifies opportunities, drives innovation, and creates lasting value for members and partners.

This vision became the foundation for our strategic direction, built around four pillars that reflect ZIBCO’s DNA:

• Connect: serving as a platform that meaningfully links Zimbabwean and UAE business ecosystems

• Inform: becoming the most credible source of Zimbabwe–UAE business intelligence

• Educate: acting as a knowledge hub that cultivates cross-market understanding through shared learning

• Enable: being a trusted entity that empowers members to drive tangible growth and expansion

  
  

Importantly, 2025 was not only about defining strategy but it was about putting the right structures in place to execute.

We introduced new board members including strengthening the Board by introducing an Emirati Board Member and an Offshore Board Member based in Zimbabwe. This proved to be a major strategic step that has been well received. Our offshore representation enabled us to better map opportunities on the ground, open doors, manage incoming delegations, and engage Zimbabwean businesses seeking expansion into the UAE. This was further reinforced through meaningful engagement with the UAE Embassy in Harare, laying the foundations for a strong and enduring relationship that positions ZIBCO as a credible conduit between markets.

In parallel, we continued to deepen our collaboration with the Embassy and Consulate of Zimbabwe in the UAE. Establishing a cadence for quarterly meetings which allowed for more structured dialogue, clearer identification of challenges, and practical discussions around solutions to improve the ease of doing business and growing bi-lateral trade.

From a membership and ecosystem perspective, we saw ZIBCO evolve into a more business-oriented platform. This was reflected in the onboarding of seven (7) new Corporate Members and six (6) new SME Members across both UAE and Zimbabwe, reinforcing the Council’s growing relevance as a facilitator of opportunity as opposed to a convenor.

To better understand member needs, we also rolled out a member survey earlier in the year. The insights gathered are already informing us how we shape our events, programs, engagements, and the opportunities we pursue going forward.

Throughout the year, we delivered several impactful events. Our “Their Stories, Their Way” Entrepreneur Series, hosted in March at Five Iron Golf, was a resounding success bringing together an exceptional panel and a highly engaged audience for an evening of practical insights, honest conversations, and meaningful networking. We also collaborated with peer councils, including the South Africa Business Council, to deliver the inaugural Inter-Africa Council Event in Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the importance of collaboration.

On the investment and trade front, ZIBCO facilitated and hosted multiple delegations. We supported inbound Zimbabwean delegations, including Akribos Capital, lining up investor discussions that remain active. We also played a central role during the Dubai Chambers Mission to Harare, facilitating one-to-one meetings around five shortlisted investment opportunities with ticket sizes exceeding USD 10 million. During the same visit, ZIBCO partnered with ZB Bank to host a well-attended Exporters’ Indaba, enabling direct engagement between Zimbabwean exporters, Dubai Chambers, and other key stakeholders.

Behind the scenes, steady progress has also been made across a number of strategic initiatives that we expect to come to fruition in 2026 — including supporting the establishment of a Zimbabwean financial institution’s presence in DIFC, with an announcement anticipated in Q1 2026.

We have also begun working closely with ARDA and the Ministry of Agriculture on a first-of-its-kind pilot, where the Council will be allocated land for agricultural development. This represents a meaningful step toward practical, on-the-ground impact, and more details will be shared early next year once the MOU has been finalized.

None of this progress would be possible without the continued support, engagement, and belief of our members, partners, and broader community. 2025 was about building foundations, structurally, strategically, and relationally. As we move into 2026, our focus will be on disciplined execution, deeper impact, and delivering tangible value across the Zimbabwe–UAE corridor.

Stay tuned for all the latest news and updates by keeping an eye on our social and digital channels.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to building the next chapter together.

Simba Makahamadze

Chairman

Zimbabwean Business Council - UAE (ZIBCO)