Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
President Emmerson Mnangagwa rounded up his trip to China after a busy schedule which saw him visiting different provinces of the Asian country as well as attending the Forum on China -Africa Cooperation.
A consistent thread throughout his visit was the message that Africa can achieve its modernisation goals by standing on the shoulders of giants like China, which have made significant strides in development.
From the day he arrived in Shenzhen, China, President Mnangagwa had a packed schedule, visiting three provinces and touring prominent businesses like Huawei and Build Your Dream Auto. The trip also held sentimental value, as he revisited the Nanjing Army Command College, where he received his initial training, describing it as a ‘homecoming’.
In Beijing, President Mnangagwa met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit, culminating in the signing of several memoranda of understanding to enhance cooperation between the two nations.
He then joined other African leaders at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, where President Xi emphasised the need to elevate bilateral ties to strategic partnerships yielding mutual benefits.
President Mnangagwa presented at two forums, stressing the importance of increased cooperation between Africa and China.
Addressing Chinese and African entrepreneurs, he highlighted vast investment opportunities in Zimbabwe’s mining, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
He emphasised the country’s strategic location, favourable incentives and potential for producing ‘Made in Africa’ goods.
President Mnangagwa joined other heads of state and government from across the African Continent for the Forum on China-African Cooperation where President Xi called for the elevation of bilateral ties with African countries to strategic partnerships that yield mutual benefits.
President Mnangagwa who presented at two forums also spoke on the need for increased cooperation between Africa and China.
As he presented at the Right Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs, the President said vast opportunities for investment from China are available in fields like mining, agriculture and manufacturing.
“Both our diversified mining and agriculture sectors provide investors and entrepreneurs the opportunity to participate in manufacturing for ‘made in Africa’ goods and products towards moving up the global value chains. We are centrally located in the Southern African region with connectivity for the north and southbound trade. Favourable incentives are available for all investments,” said the President.
Earlier in the week, President Mnangagwa engaged with the Chinese media, sharing his insights on China’s development and its implications for Africa. He noted that African countries can achieve similar progress by leveraging their resources and focusing on domestic development.
“You have developed to an extent that only people like me who know what you were like 65 years ago and what you are now will understand. But then it also means it’s possible to achieve. The quality of life of our people can improve if we focus on the domestic resources to build our countries by ourselves, with our vision,” said President Mnangagwa.
As President Mnangagwa returned home, marking the end of his successful trip, the stage is set for a new era of cooperation between China and Zimbabwe, with exciting prospects for enhanced investment, innovative partnerships, and mutually beneficial collaborations on the horizon.
