A delegation of Canadian investors is currently exploring business opportunities in Zimbabwe, with a focus on sectors such as clean energy, manufacturing, information and communications technology (ICT), mining, agriculture, and education. This initiative aligns with the Second Republic’s efforts to engage with previously unfriendly Western nations, which are now showing a renewed interest in Zimbabwe.
On Tuesday, the delegation, led by Paula Caldwell St-Onge, chair of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, met with Foreign and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava, alongside Canadian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Alder Aristilde. Caldwell St-Onge expressed enthusiasm about the Canadian private sector’s interest in Zimbabwe, stating, “We have such an interest from the Canadian private sector to come and do business in Zimbabwe. Of course, there’s always the mining sector, but we also have clean energies, ICT, agriculture, education, and manufacturing.”
The delegation has a packed schedule of engagements with local businesses to discuss potential collaborations. Minister Shava noted that the visit reflects the strengthening relationship between Zimbabwe and Canada. He praised the delegation for adhering to Zimbabwe’s established business protocols by collaborating with the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), the country’s one-stop shop for investments that assists with company registrations and investor advisories.
Minister Shava also reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to rejoining the Commonwealth, emphasizing the nation’s approach of being a friend to all and an enemy to none. He highlighted ongoing discussions regarding Zimbabwe’s re-entry into the Commonwealth, which are advancing ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to take place in Samoa.
Shava expressed optimism that the Commonwealth Heads of State will consider Zimbabwe’s re-entry at this meeting, which will bring together representatives from 56 nations across various regions, including Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific.
