Zimbabwe has stepped up its bid to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube holding high-level talks in Beijing, China, as the country seeks access to long-term infrastructure financing.
The engagement follows Zimbabwe's formal expression of interest in becoming a member of the multilateral development finance institution through a letter submitted to the AIIB president and chairperson of the board of directors in May 2026.
Ncube and his delegation met AIIB president Jiayi Zou and senior management at the bank's headquarters to discuss Zimbabwe's development priorities and opportunities for future cooperation as the country implements the National Development Strategy 2 for 2026-2030 and pursues its Vision 2030 agenda.
Membership of the AIIB could provide Zimbabwe with access to long-term funding and technical expertise for major infrastructure projects in sectors such as energy, transport, water and digital development, which are critical to supporting economic growth and improving climate resilience.
The talks underscore Zimbabwe's efforts to broaden access to infrastructure financing and technical support at a time when the country is seeking investment for critical projects in energy, water, transport and climate resilience.
The talks signal Zimbabwe's efforts to broaden access to long-term infrastructure financing and technical support at a time when the country is seeking investment for critical projects in energy, water, transport and climate resilience.
During the meeting, AIIB officials outlined the institution's four strategic priorities: sustainable infrastructure development, green and climate-resilient infrastructure, regional connectivity and integration, and mobilisation of capital to support private-sector development, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement posted on its X account.
These priorities guide the bank's financing activities across sectors including transport, energy, water, urban development, digital infrastructure and climate adaptation, it added.
- Budget dampens workers’ hopes
- Govt issues $24 billion Covid-19 guarantees
- Letter to my People:They have no answers for Nero’s charisma
- ZMX to enhance farm profitability
Keep Reading
“The Hon. Minister pointed out the alignment between AIIB’s mandate and Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development needs, noting that the bank’s priority areas strongly resonate with the country’s development agenda, particularly climate change resilience and hydro-infrastructure development.
“He emphasised that Zimbabwe is seeking long-term financing and technical partnership to expand sustainable energy and water systems, which are central to the country’s economic transformation,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry said the AIIB president commended Zimbabwe for recent macroeconomic stability gains, particularly in achieving single-digit inflation, describing these achievements as critical foundations for sustainable development and successful infrastructure investment.
The ZiG annual inflation was 4,37% in May, from a peak of 95,8% in July 2025.
“She further expressed appreciation for Zimbabwe’s commitment to reforms and its interest in becoming a member of the bank. Both parties agreed to continue technical engagements toward Zimbabwe’s potential membership and project pipeline development, with a shared commitment to advancing sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient infrastructure growth,” the Ministry said.
