HARARE, Jul. 2 (NewsDay Live) – The Zimbabwean government has urged Chinese investors to comply with local labour laws and actively participate in the country's social dialogue structures, including the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF), as Chinese investment in Zimbabwe surpasses US$10 billion.
The call comes as China remains one Zimbabwe’s largest sources of foreign investment, its biggest country creditor, and one of its biggest trading partners.
Last year Zimbabwe exported US$1,35 billion worth of goods to China—mainly tobacco—while importing US$1,62 billion worth of goods.
Chinese-owned firms have, over the years, faced allegations of labour rights violations and poor working conditions, with several disputes ending up before the courts or labour authorities.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe-China Business Symposium in Harare, Energy and Power Development minister July Moyo, Energy and Power Development minister July Moyo urged Chinese investors to comply with local labour legislation, participate in Zimbabwe’s social dialogue, and engage through the TNF.
The inaugural symposium, hosted by Africapaciti Investment Group (AIG) in partnership with the Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Zimbabwe, brought together senior government officials, regulators, investors and business leaders from both countries to explore new investment opportunities and deepen bilateral economic cooperation.
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“We prioritise ease of doing business, investor protection and public-private partnerships. Investors must also operate within Zimbabwe's legal framework and respect our labour laws,” Moyo said.
He added that Zimbabwe’s Energy Compact aims to achieve universal household access to electricity by 2030 through approximately 320 000 new electricity connections annually between 2025 and 2030.
“We regularly publish progress reports and continue working with partners such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank to achieve these targets,” Moyo said.
Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding said Chinese companies are expected to comply fully with Zimbabwean laws, minimise environmental impacts and maintain strong relationships with host communities.
“We welcome constructive, evidence-based criticism and practical solutions. At the same time, we consistently require all Chinese enterprises to comply with local laws, protect the environment and communicate closely with surrounding communities,” Ding said.
He added that the Chinese government maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and expected all of their companies operating abroad to uphold high ethical standards.
According to Zhou, Zimbabwe-China economic cooperation has attracted more than US$10 billion in investment across various sectors, including steel, lithium, cement, fertiliser production, solar energy, and digital infrastructure.
He said bilateral trade reached a record US$4,4 billion in 2025, representing a 15,2% increase from the previous year, while Zimbabwe recorded a trade surplus of US$740 million.
Zhou also urged stakeholders to counter misinformation that could discourage responsible investment.
AIG chief executive officer Tsungai Muguti said the symposium was designed to convert dialogue into practical business partnerships that would strengthen economic cooperation between Zimbabwe and China.
She said Africapaciti sought to bridge the gap between government and the private sector, international investors and local businesses, as well as policy and enterprise.
“Our vision is for this symposium to become an annual platform that brings together governments, business leaders, tertiary institutions, investors and development partners to strengthen relationships, unlock new opportunities and deepen the enduring partnership between Zimbabwe and China,” Muguti said.
She said the discussions should result in practical resolutions that improve investment facilitation, promote collaboration and create a clear roadmap for future engagement between Zimbabwean and Chinese stakeholders.