Zimbabwe, one of Africa’s most diamond-rich nations, is actively seeking to deepen its commercial engagement with India, the world’s largest hub for diamond cutting and polishing.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga recently visited Surat, India’s diamond capital, to hold discussions on establishing direct trade channels between Zimbabwean suppliers and Indian manufacturers. Such a move would enable Zimbabwe to bypass intermediaries, ensuring more transparent pricing and better margins for both sides.
Chiwenga also extended an open invitation to Indian diamantaires and investors to explore opportunities for joint ventures in Zimbabwe’s mineral processing, cutting, and polishing industries. By fostering investment in value-added processes, Zimbabwe hopes to transition from being a supplier of raw materials to a player in the global manufacturing chain.
The timing appears advantageous. Zimbabwe faces a 15% tariff under U.S. regulations, while Indian importers currently pay as much as 50% on certain diamond categories. This tariff gap could make direct India–Zimbabwe partnerships more economically viable.
During his visit, Chiwenga engaged with industry leaders, including the founders of Hari Krishna Exports, to explore collaborative possibilities. Zimbabwe’s long-term vision is to develop a domestic ecosystem for diamond manufacturing—one that supports job creation, skill development, and local economic growth.
By channeling investment into cutting, polishing, and allied industries, Zimbabwe aims not only to boost export revenues but also to uplift local communities through employment and training, thereby reducing poverty while strengthening its global position in the diamond supply chain.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and TJM Media Pvt Ltd. is not responsible for any errors in the same.
