Economic and development agreements between Zimbabwe and Mozambique | news

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Mozambican counterpart Daniel Chapo led high-level discussions in the capital, Maputo, which ended with the signing of a series of strategic agreements aimed at strengthening economic and development cooperation between the two countries.

Mnangagwa’s visit to Mozambique came to launch the work of the joint bilateral committee, which is a new mechanism for direct coordination between the two governments in multiple fields including trade, energy, infrastructure, and agriculture.

Relations between the two countries go back to the period of national liberation, where Mozambique played a pivotal role in supporting the liberation movements in Zimbabwe.

Today, the two parties seek to transform these historical ties into tangible economic partnerships, thus enhancing regional integration in southern Africa.

The two presidents also stressed that relations between the two ruling parties, ZANU-PF and Frelimo, will remain a key pillar for strengthening political and economic ties.

The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade by improving border crossings and developing infrastructure projects, most notably the Rotenga-Sango-Maputo road and the Tikopanen deep sea port, to connect the region to global markets.

They also stressed the importance of Mozambique’s role in providing Zimbabwe with electricity and expanding partnerships in sustainable energy, in addition to supporting agricultural production in a way that enhances food security and agricultural exchange between the two countries.

Political implications

Mnangagwa’s visit to Mozambique is the first after President Chapo took office, which gives it a symbolic dimension that reflects the desire of the two leaderships to open a new page of cooperation.

The launch of the joint bilateral committee also reflects a clear political will to transform historical relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership that goes beyond the protocol into concrete development projects.