During the inaugural ceremony of the 114th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS), Presidents Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and Filipe Jacinto Nyusi emphasized the importance of strengthening trade relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This joint call aligns with President Mnangagwa’s broader goal of fostering deeper economic integration between the two nations. The push for enhanced trade is a crucial part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at bolstering economic ties and driving regional prosperity. Building on a strong legacy of cooperation, this development is poised to significantly reinforce the bilateral relationship.
Zimbabwe and Mozambique are both eager to strengthen their economic ties, with Presidents Mnangagwa and Nyusi advocating for increased trade between the two countries. Zimbabwe relies heavily on Mozambique for shipment and access to the sea, while Mozambique benefits from Zimbabwe’s technical expertise and other forms of skills development. Additionally, Zimbabwe serves as a crucial trade corridor between Mozambique and other SADC countries like Botswana and Namibia. The mutual cooperation and bilateralism between the two nations are essential for their development and the prosperity of the entire region.
The two countries share a long history of cooperation, and President Nyusi’s official opening of the ZAS is expected to further solidify their relationship. Key areas of focus include infrastructure development, with Zimbabwe concentrating on road and dam construction to enable smoother trade and advanced agriculture. Meanwhile, Mozambique is rehabilitating its ports, roads, and railway lines, which will improve connectivity and facilitate trade with Zimbabwe and other SADC countries. These infrastructure projects have also created employment opportunities in both countries.
In addition, Zimbabwe and Mozambique are part of the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), SADC, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which allow for duty-free and quota-free trade on non-sensitive and exclusive products. Beyond government-level cooperation, both countries are encouraging private sector engagement to drive economic growth and development. The private sector has proven to be a vital component in the economic development of both nations. President Mnangagwa consistently advocates for inclusivity in developmental issues, reflecting the philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind” and “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” (a country is built by its own people) as Zimbabwe moves toward achieving its Vision 2030.
