In a significant move aimed at strengthening economic ties between Zimbabwe and Japan, top officials from Toyota Tsusho Corporation today paid a courtesy call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Osaka. The delegation, led by Toyota Tsusho Executive Officer Mr. Kohei Okada, held a closed-door meeting with the Zimbabwean leader to explore expanding the company’s footprint in the country.
The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of President Mnangagwa’s official visit to Japan, focused on deepening business collaboration, with particular attention given to the possibility of establishing a Toyota vehicle assembly plant in Zimbabwe. This would mark a major milestone in Zimbabwe’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment and industrialize its economy.
Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, who accompanied the President during the engagement, confirmed that the talks were “encouraging and forward-looking,” adding that Toyota Tsusho expressed strong interest in partnering with Zimbabwe to expand operations in sectors such as automotive, logistics, and renewable energy.
“The idea of a local assembly plant is very much on the table,” said Prof Ncube. “It would create jobs, reduce import dependence, and enhance skills transfer key pillars in our economic transformation agenda.”
Toyota Tsusho, the trading arm of the Toyota Group, is no stranger to African markets, having already invested in several countries across the continent. Their potential investment in Zimbabwe signals growing confidence in the country’s reform efforts and business climate.
President Mnangagwa reportedly welcomed the interest and reiterated Zimbabwe’s readiness to offer incentives and policy support to serious investors.
