The Embassy’s Business Visit to the State of Kansas, Mid-West Region, USA: 16 – 19 July 2025

1. The Charge d’Affaires a.i., Mrs. Sarah Bhoroma, and the Minister Counselor for Trade and Investment, Mr. J. Mushayi, undertook a business engagement mission to the State of Kansas, in the mid-West region of the United States from 16 to 19 July 2025. The Mission’s team met with Kansan government officials; the private sector, and officials from the three Kansan state Universities.
2. The Mission’s business engagement in the State is a continuation of the implementation of the trade and investment strategy, which targets strategic States for deeper engagement in furtherance of economic diplomacy with the Republic of Zimbabwe. Similar trade and investment missions were successfully conducted in Atlanta, Georgia (2023), Chicago, Illinois (2024) and now Kansas (2025).
3. The objective of the mission was to: 
   • Consolidate and expand trade and investment opportunities between Zimbabwe and the State of Kansas;
   • Establish mutually beneficial socio economic, cultural and educational partnerships between Zimbabwe and the State of Kansas;
   • Take advantage of the opportunities that exist between the two economies and explore areas for cooperation and partnerships; and
   • Motivate undertaking of inbound and outbound trade and investment missions to both Zimbabwe and the State of Kansas.

4. The Mission succeeded in meeting with the following key stakeholders;
   • Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research. (Research and Development in aviation and engineering)
   •  Bombardier, (private company that designs, builds, and maintains aircraft)
   •  Lubrication Engineers, (mining and transportation lubricants),
   • Great Plains Manufacturing Inc. (manufacturer of agriculture and construction equipment).
   • The University of Kansas’ School of Aerospace Engineering, (teaching students and professionals both academic and industry practical skills in aircraft design, manufacturing, and flight testing)
   • University of Kansas’ Innovation Park, (start-ups and incubation hub)
   • Greater Wichita Partnership, (association of the private sector companies)
   • Cargill, (company in the agriculture value chain)
   • The Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence, (business association)
   • Kansas State University, (K-State) Olathe Innovation Campus (teaching students and professional engineers in Advanced Manufacturing and Bulk Solids Technology)
5. The Embassy of Zimbabwe greatly appreciate the support and the facilitation provided by the Kansas Department of Commerce.
6. The Mission’s delegation was pleasantly surprised to meet four (4) of the sixteen (16) Zimbabwean students pursuing their studies at Wichita State University.

7. The Mission concluded its tour of duty by conducting a diaspora engagement event for the Zimbabwean diaspora living in the Kansas area and nearby states on the 19th of July 2025. This event saw the participation of about 30 Zimbabweans, and fruitful networking with 6 nationals from two other SADC member states.