By Aldridge Dzvene
The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, has called for urgent measures to ease the movement of people, goods and services between Zimbabwe and Botswana, proposing the use of national identity documents in place of passports for selected categories of travellers.
Speaking during the Fifth Session of the Zimbabwe Botswana Bi National Commission in Harare, the President said the two countries must move decisively to remove barriers that hinder trade and integration, particularly for border communities and short term travel.
He emphasized that Zimbabwe and Botswana share deep historical, cultural and economic ties, describing the two nations as one people whose relationship goes beyond diplomacy, rooted in solidarity and common aspirations for peace, development and prosperity.
The President highlighted the need to accelerate the establishment of harmonised immigration systems, One Stop Border Posts and digital clearance platforms to improve efficiency and reduce the cost of doing business. He said such measures would enhance trade flows and strengthen economic linkages between the two countries.
Addressing delegates, the President acknowledged progress made since the last Bi National Commission session, noting increased cooperation in sectors such as security, health, trade and investment, agriculture, tourism and border management. He said the platform continues to deliver tangible benefits and must now be scaled up with greater urgency.
He urged ministers and senior officials to finalise outstanding agreements within firm timelines and prioritise high impact joint projects capable of transforming the economies of both nations. He stressed that implementation, rather than discussion, must now take centre stage.
The President said economic relations between Zimbabwe and Botswana are on a positive trajectory and encouraged both countries to take advantage of regional frameworks such as the Southern African Development Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area to boost intra African trade.
He also underscored the importance of investing in regional connectivity, particularly in road, rail and air transport systems, as a way of unlocking trade potential and strengthening integration.
In the mining sector, the President pointed to opportunities for collaboration in the sustainable extraction, processing and value addition of mineral resources, with a focus on empowering youth and women. He said Zimbabwe is ready to share experiences and deepen cooperation in this area.
On private sector participation, the President emphasized that governments and businesses must work together to achieve meaningful economic outcomes. He welcomed the upcoming Business Forum in Bulawayo, saying it will play a key role in strengthening business to business relations and unlocking new opportunities.
Climate change also featured prominently in his address, with the President noting its growing threat to food systems and economies. He said Zimbabwe is advancing climate smart agriculture and resilience programmes and sees potential for joint efforts with Botswana in sustainable agriculture, water management and environmental conservation.
The President further reaffirmed strong cooperation in peace and security, while expressing appreciation for Botswana’s continued support in calling for the removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. He also thanked Botswana for backing Zimbabwe’s bid for a non permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027 to 2028 term.
At the regional level, the President commended Botswana for its leadership within SADC, particularly in advancing the operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund, which is expected to drive infrastructure development and industrialisation.
He noted that global geopolitical shifts, including supply chain disruptions and energy market volatility, demand stronger regional resilience. He called for increased investment in energy generation, transmission and renewable solutions to ensure stable and affordable power supply for industrial growth.
In closing, the President reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to deepen cooperation and maximise the outcomes of the Bi National Commission, expressing confidence that the partnership will continue to deliver shared prosperity for their people.
