THE Zimbabwe Investment Agency (ZIDA) is facilitating business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking between Ugandan firms and local partners after securing an investment pipeline of at least US$61,2 million, NewsDay Business can reveal.
This comes following the Zimbabwe-Uganda Business Forum held last week to facilitate bilateral ties between the two nations.
Improving bilateral ties between Zimbabwe and Uganda is owing to the fact that trade remains heavily skewed in the latter’s favour, with the former having imported goods worth US$829 206,02 against exports of US$109 869,63 last year, according to official statistics.
“Zida is implementing targeted regional investment promotion initiatives aimed at increasing Ugandan business participation in Zimbabwe,” Zida chief executive officer Tafadzwa Chinamo told NewsDay Business in an interview.
“This includes active engagement through platforms such as the Uganda–Zimbabwe Business Forum, where investment opportunities are presented and investor linkages facilitated.”
He added: “The Agency is also showcasing bankable projects through its Investment Prospectus and facilitating business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking between Ugandan firms and local partners.”
He said Zida continued to strengthen its investor facilitation and aftercare services to support retention, expansion, and reinvestment, with a deliberate focus on converting engagements into tangible investment outcomes.
He revealed an investment pipeline totalling US$61,2 million with Uganda.
- Why Maser CEO Suri thinks AfCFTA is a winner for start-ups
- AfCFTA bolsters Zim SMEs
- Outcry over state of Binga-Dete road
- Why Maser CEO Suri thinks AfCFTA is a winner for start-ups
Keep Reading
“Current engagements have generated a diversified investment pipeline across key sectors, including manufacturing (US$20,4 million), agriculture (US$10,2 million), services (US$10,2 million), mining (US$10,2 million), and real estate (US$10,2 million),” Chinamo said.
“This reflects the growing potential of intra-African investment flows and highlights priority sectors for collaboration.”
NewsDay Business understands that Zida intends to work closely with the Uganda Investment Authority to deepen the collaboration through structured institutional engagement.
This will include joint investment promotion campaigns, coordinated investor outreach, and the exchange of investment pipelines to identify high-impact opportunities.
“The partnership is expected to facilitate B2B matchmaking and joint ventures, enabling companies from both countries to collaborate and invest,” Chinamo said.
“In addition, both agencies plan to align efforts to promote cross-border value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning Zimbabwe and Uganda as complementary investment destinations within a broader regional market.”
In terms of incentives to lure investors such as those from Uganda, Zida states that Zimbabwe maintains an open investment environment and a non-discriminatory regime that allows all investors to participate in most sectors of the economy.
“Zida provides for: Streamlined investor licensing and facilitation processes; The administration of tax incentives (fiscal and non-fiscal), particularly for investments in Special Economic Zones (SEZs); The protection of all investors under Zimbabwe’s legal and regulatory framework; Retention of and expansion of already existing investor through its aftercare service,” Chinamo said.
He said that in view of the current global turmoils, Zida looking to African investment was imperative.
“Zida is focused on increasing intra-African investment flows, including from Uganda, by strengthening bilateral investment pipelines and sector-focused promotion.
“The agency is targeting growth in key sectors such as agro-processing, manufacturing, energy, and services, with an emphasis on attracting high-value, impact-driven investments that support industrialisation, job creation, and export growth.”
This is expected to be achieved through institutionalised bilateral engagements, enhanced collaboration between investment promotion agencies, and the promotion of regional value chains under the AfCFTA framework.
