Trade Mission To Zimbabwe Was A Fruitful Visit

BCC members at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe for the ILBCC Trade Mission. -PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN BY DEBORAH FARMER
BCC members at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe for the ILBCC Trade Mission. -PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN BY DEBORAH FARMER

Trade Mission To Zimbabwe Was A Fruitful Visit

By Tia Carol Jones

The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce recently returned from a trade mission to Zimbabwe where they were able to engage with leaders in the country with the goal of connecting to businesses and resources. There were about 14 businesses that attended the trip, which took place in December 2024.

The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1997 with the mission to economically empower and sustain the African American community through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activities, via interaction with the national Black Chamber of Commerce throughout the Diaspora. At the time of its founding in 1997, there wasn’t a large representation of Black business owners on the board of traditional chambers of commerce. The organization wants to ensure Black business owners in the state of Illinois have a voice and have a seat at the table.

“Our goal is to strengthen Black businesses in the State of Illinois,” said Larry Ivory, President and CEO of the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce.

Since the organization was founded, there are more than 1,500 Black businesses are members of the organization throughout. According to Ivory, there are more than 120,000 Black businesses in the state of Illinois.

Ivory said that Africa has always been a place that had tremendous opportunity for growth. He said that Africa is the richest continent when it comes to natural resources and population.

“It seemed to make a lot of sense for African Americans to reconnect with their brothers and sisters in Africa to help grow their economy and bring our expertise and knowledge back to the continent and also strengthen ourselves at the same time,” he said. At this time it is important for Black business owners to think globally and have the ability to do business everywhere.

During the trade mission, the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce met with the Zimbabwean Minister of Finance, Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as leaders in IT and agriculture. Ivory said there were conversations with the Minister of Health and the Permanent Secretary. Dr. Jeffrey Sterling, owner of SIMPO Solutions was part of those conversations with the Minister of Health, discussing preventative care and increasing the life expectancy of people in Zimbabwe. Andre and Frances Guichard, owners of Gallery Guichard, were able to find art they could bring back to the States and display in their gallery. 

The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce is looking at alternative energy as part of Zimbabwe’s infrastructure, as well as housing and construction. There is an architect who is looking to have an office in Zimbabwe, a law firm is in talks to do a joint venture with another law firm. The organization is looking to bring agriculture, specifically hydroponics, IT and telecommunications to Zimbabwe.

Ivory said the organization will be connecting other businesses with businesses in Zimbabwe. The organization is also preparing to return to the country in late April and early June of this year. The goal is to take more than 50 Black businesses from Illinois to Zimbabwe during these trips. 

“One of the things about Zimbabwe that attracted us, is that Zimbabwe has one of the highest literacy rates in Africa, 97% of the people are educated and they all speak English,” Ivory said.

For more information about the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce, visit www.ilbcc.org.


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