Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
HARARE – ZIMBABWE and Namibia are exploring avenues to deepen and broaden their bilateral relations, with a renewed call for the private sector to take an active role in the development of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, a key component of the regional integration agenda.
Visiting Namibian President, Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, accompanied by First Gentleman Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, paid a courtesy call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House in Harare this Tuesday.
Emerging from the closed-door meeting, President Mnangagwa reaffirmed the cordial and growing ties between Harare and Windhoek.
“We had excellent discussions with my dear sister, the President, exchanging our warm relations between Zimbabwe and of course strengthening those relations, cooperating in all aspects of our endeavour. We are so happy that our relations are strengthening and continue to deepen. I am honoured that my sister found the time to visit us,” President Mnangagwa said.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah underscored the significance of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor as a strategic infrastructure project to boost trade, urging businesses in both countries and across the region, to actively engage in utilising and enhancing such infrastructure.
“We are discussing how best as two countries we can facilitate trade. The Trans-Kalahari Corridor is one such critical infrastructure. We are calling on businesspeople from both Namibia and Zimbabwe and across the region, to collaborate and make full use of the facilities being developed,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
“In Namibia, we have allocated dry ports to all our neighbours, including Zimbabwe. While these ports are managed by governments, they are intended for private sector use, to stimulate business, drive economic growth, and ultimately create employment. By doing so, we aim to reduce poverty and close the economic gap between the haves and the have-nots,” she added.
Zimbabwe already benefits from Namibia’s Walvis Bay Dry Port, which facilitates trade and regional connectivity. Officials from both sides indicated that there is scope to further expand cooperation across economic and infrastructural sectors.
The high-level engagement marks another step in strengthening bilateral relations within the framework of Southern African Development Community (SADC) collaboration and broader continental integration efforts.
