BY NATHAN GUMA
UNITED States of America Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, says that her country is committed to engagement that supports economic opportunity, transparency, and respect for fundamental freedoms, as part of the newly launched Freedom 250 programme.
Speaking during the launch, Ambassador Tremont described the programme as more than a celebration of American independence, but a reflection of shared values between the United States and Zimbabwe.
Freedom 250 is a one-year programme that will showcase how American democracy, innovation, and culture have strengthened people-to-people ties with Zimbabwe.
The United States has been a major partner to Zimbabwe, and was among the first diplomatic missions to open after independence.
Ambassador Tremont said that while Freedom 250 marks America’s journey since independence, it is not only about American history, but also about shared aspirations of dignity, democratic values, and broad-based economic opportunity.
“For nearly 45 years, the United States has stood with the people of Zimbabwe,” she said. “As the first diplomatic mission to open after Zimbabwe’s independence, we signalled early on our belief in its potential and our commitment to see that potential blossom.”
“That commitment has guided our diplomacy, trade, and support for health, economic development, and the foundations of national well-being.”
Since 1980, the United States and Zimbabwe have worked together in education, health, entrepreneurship, economic growth, technology, civil society, humanitarian support, and democratic governance.
PEPFAR has strengthened Zimbabwe’s health systems, saved countless lives, and made achieving the 95-95-95 HIV targets possible.
This has also led to an increase in the country’s TB treatment rate since 1994, driven by improved access to medication, and it reached the WHO’s End TB target in 2021.
American innovation has continued to drive progress in fighting HIV, with the country donating Lenacapavir, the first twice-yearly HIV treatment and prevention option, which offers enormous potential for the future of public health.
Ambassador Tremont also said that education has been a cornerstone of the US-Zimbabwe relationship.
According to Open Doors data, Zimbabwe has seen a significant increase in the number of students studying in the US between the 2016/17 and 2023/24 academic periods.
“Thousands of Zimbabweans have studied or trained in the United States on their own accord or through programs like Fulbright, Young African Leaders Initiative, the International Leadership Visitors Program, and the Humphrey Fellowship,” she said.
“They have returned to lead in government, academia, business, civil society, and the arts. These are the young leaders who shape Zimbabwe’s future and will define the next 45 years of partnership.”
She said that through diplomatic engagement, speaker programs, business showcases, cultural events, mentorship initiatives, and community engagements, the Freedom 250 programme also seeks to spark dialogue, explore new ideas, and imagine the next generation of partnership.
“We’ve already started in February with Black History Month events and a book club focused not on America’s past, but on our shared technological future,” she said.
As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, I invite you to imagine Zimbabwe at its own 250-year mark.
“I see a country where innovators lead globally competitive companies; where women shape industries; where artists influence the world; where democratic institutions are resilient; and where technology expands opportunity for all.”
She also said that in the months ahead under the programme, the embassy will host programs on technology, trade, free speech, entrepreneurship, and cultural expression, as well as film nights, a special Independence Day celebration in June, and other activities throughout the year.
“We are also strengthening our partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce Zimbabwe, including a Business Summit in Victoria Falls in July to explore opportunities for greater trade and investment between the United States and Zimbabwe,” she said.
“To honour Zimbabwe’s Fulbright alumni and inspire the next generation, we are launching the #OnceAFulbrighter campaign.”
She said the campaign will spotlight the impact of Zimbabwe’s Fulbright community.
