Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Editor
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is in Maputo, Mozambique, for a state visit and the inaugural Zimbabwe–Mozambique Bi-National Commission (BNC), a development expected to consolidate political and economic cooperation between the two neighbouring states.
The President was seen off at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Vice President Colonel (Rtd) Dr Kembo Mohadi, Defence Minister, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Service Chiefs and senior government officials.
He is accompanied by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka and Industry and Commerce Minister, Honourable Mangaliso Ndlovu.
The leaders’ meeting slated for this weekend was preceded by senior officials and ministerial meetings, setting the tone for the elevation of ties between the two countries, with agreements of the BNC signed in April 2022.
Zimbabwe and Mozambique enjoy strong political ties expanding into economic cooperation in areas of trade, transport, energy supply and cross-border businesses.
This Saturday will see the convening of a Zimbabwe-Mozambique Business Forum, jointly organised by ZimTrade, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) and Mozambique’s Agência para a Promoção de Investimento eExportações (APIEX), which is expected to deepen cooperation in trade, investment and tourism, while advancing the Second Republic’s economic diplomacy drive.
In a statement, ZimTrade Chief Executive Officer, Mr Allan Majuru said the Maputo Forum gives the private sector a platform to establish practical partnerships and engage directly with potential business partners in Mozambique.
The meeting comes as Southern Africa is strengthening its participation in regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with Zimbabwe and Mozambique seen as strategic partners in this process, given their geographic proximity and complementary economic structures.
