In a bold display of regional solidarity and economic vision, Zimbabwe and Mozambique are rekindling and reinforcing trade and investment cooperation, using the momentum of their historical camaraderie to build a resilient and mutually beneficial future. This week’s investment conference in Beira, Mozambique, orchestrated under the auspices of ZimTrade, served as a strategic bridge between two neighbours committed not only to commerce but to the broader African development agenda.
With Mozambique already ranked as Zimbabwe’s fourth-largest trading partner, the engagement marks more than a diplomatic handshake. It is a strategic pivot toward maximizing shared resources, leveraging strategic ports, and fostering a new wave of business alliances capable of delivering tangible results across the region. At the centre of this cooperation lies the Port of Beira, Mozambique’s commercial artery and Zimbabwe’s natural gateway to international markets.
Addressing delegates, Secretary of State for Sofala Province, Ms Cecilia Chamutota, articulated a clear regional development philosophy that rejects dependency in favour of proactive, homegrown solutions. “Trade and investment play a vital role in promoting innovative and inclusive economies. Sofala Province has improved its business environment to attract more investments,” she said, citing infrastructure and construction as areas of strong potential.
Her sentiments were echoed by the Governor of Sofala Province, Mr Lourenco Ferreira Bulha, who affirmed his participation at the upcoming Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanai Tourism Expo in Mutare. “We must develop Africa ourselves. While we can count on others, it is our responsibility to lead our own development,” he stressed, aligning with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s oft-repeated stance on economic sovereignty and self-determination.
For Zimbabwe, the conference represents a major opportunity to scale up exports and deepen market penetration in Mozambique. Speaking with conviction, Zimbabwe’s Consul General in Mozambique, Mr Malvern Bere, called on Zimbabwean businesses to seize the opportunities availed by Mozambique’s thriving and liberalising economy. “This is a pivotal moment. Mozambique, with the port of Beira, offers huge trade opportunities to Zimbabwe. We urge both Zimbabwean and Mozambican businesses to fully engage,” he said.
Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, described the conference as a reaffirmation of economic diplomacy anchored in mutual respect and shared history. “This gathering is about more than trade, it is about transforming longstanding political ties into robust economic outcomes. Mozambique and Zimbabwe can become models of regional unity, trade integration and resilience,” he said.
The trade mission in Beira, which is expected to conclude on Thursday, is also designed to explore industrial capabilities, logistical routes and private sector partnerships, with the Zimbabwean delegation scheduled to tour key Mozambican companies. This face-to-face engagement is expected to demystify cross-border trade processes and build trust among entrepreneurs.
The outcomes of such missions may not be immediately visible in GDP growth figures, but they are critical steps toward fostering trust, simplifying trade logistics and aligning development priorities. As Zimbabwe drives towards Vision 2030 and Mozambique continues its post-conflict rebuilding, collaboration between these two Southern African neighbours offers a template for how Africa can harness regional partnerships to unlock shared prosperity.
The Beira Investment Conference is not just a ceremonial exchange. It is a renewed call to action, a declaration that regional growth in Southern Africa must be driven from within, powered by cooperation, connectivity and commerce.
