CONGRATULATIONS, YOUR EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT DR. ED. MNANGAGWA! I extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa, on assuming the Chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). This is a proud moment for Zimbabwe and a significant milestone in our country's regional economic diplomacy. Your Excellency, your visionary leadership, extensive experience in regional affairs and unwavering commitment to economic development position you well to champion deeper regional integration, increased intra-African trade, industrialisation and investment across COMESA member states. As Zimbabwe takes the helm, we look forward to a stronger, more integrated and economically prosperous COMESA, where trade barriers are reduced and opportunities are created for businesses and ordinary citizens. Zimbabwe's leadership of COMESA is another opportunity to advance our Engagement and Re-engagement Policy and reinforce our nation's position on the regional and continental stage. Congratulations once again, Your Excellency. We wish you a successful and impactful tenure. BaShona 🇿🇼!!

The development gains of the Second Republic under the leadership of His Excellency President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa are reflected in infrastructure projects such as the Mabvuku Interchange, which is expected to be commissioned in December 2026. In 2017, infrastructure of this scale did not exist in Zimbabwe. Today, the transformation is visible, demonstrating the Government's continued focus on modernising Zimbabwe's road network, improving traffic flow and supporting economic development. This is the infrastructure transformation we are witnessing under the Second Republic.

ZANU-PF is a futuristic party: economic transformation through tangible development. When His Excellency President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa declared that ZANU-PF @ZANUPF_Official is a futuristic party, he was speaking about a vision anchored in economic transformation, industrialization, infrastructure development, and the empowerment of Zimbabwean businesses. Looking at the economic developments since November 2017, there are measurable achievements worth examining. 1. ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INVESTMENT According to ZIMSTAT, Zimbabwe's economy recorded 8.29% real GDP growth in 2025, with agriculture expanding by 27.9%, electricity by 14.9%, and transport and storage by 10.4%. Manufacturing contributed 16.8% of GDP, mining 15.9%, agriculture 11.1%, and wholesale and retail trade 11%. The IMF projects approximately 5% economic growth in 2026. 2. EXPORTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY, AND VALUE ADDITION Zimbabwe's merchandise exports increased from US$7.8 billion in 2024 to US$10.2 billion in 2025, representing growth of 31.3%. Gold exports reached US$4.2 billion, platinum group metals US$1.88 billion, and lithium US$642.8 million. The country recorded a current account surplus of US$2.13 billion in 2025, compared with US$501.2 million in 2024. Diaspora remittances contributed US$2.82 billion. These figures demonstrate the importance of mineral production, export earnings, and international trade, while reinforcing the need for greater domestic value addition and beneficiation. 3. LOCAL INDUSTRIES AND FOOD PRODUCTION Zimbabwean companies are increasingly participating in manufacturing, agricultural production, food processing, construction, and other economic sectors. The growth of locally produced goods on supermarket shelves is an encouraging development for import substitution and industrialization. However, the objective must go beyond producing for domestic consumption. Zimbabwe must continue building industries capable of competing in regional and international markets. 4. BEITBRIDGE BORDER POST MODERNIZATION The modernization of the Beitbridge Border Post represents an investment commitment of approximately US$296 million. - The Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road is 95% complete. The upgraded facility handles more than 13,000 travelers, 400 buses, and 750 trucks daily. Commercial truck crossing times have reportedly fallen from approximately 35–65 hours to a median of 14 hours. This is significant for a country strategically positioned as a transport and trade corridor in Southern Africa. 5. ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE AND LOCAL CONTRACTORS The Mbudzi Interchange, constructed by Zimbabwean contractors, represents an investment of approximately US$80 million. The project includes 15 bridges and involved more than 1,800 workers during construction. The Mabvuku Interchange has progressed beyond 80% completion, while construction is also underway in the Msasa-Jaggers area. The Government has additionally identified road development targets including: - 30 km of the Harare–Kanyemba Highway. - 30 km of the Harare–Nyamapanda Highway. - 50 km of the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway. - 20 km of the Harare–Chirundu Highway. - 40 km of the Kwekwe–Nkayi–Lupane Road. These projects illustrate the scale of infrastructure development being pursued. 6. MONETARY STABILITY AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCE Zimbabwe has also recorded improvements in monetary indicators. Annual ZiG inflation declined to 2.9% in August 2026, while international reserves reached approximately US$1.7 billion by the end of July 2026. Despite international sanctions, financing constraints, and other structural economic challenges, the country has continued pursuing domestic resource mobilization, regional partnerships, and investment opportunities. The next challenge is ensuring that economic growth translates into sustainable employment, affordable goods, higher household incomes, and improved living standards. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo!!

There was nothing quite like this before December 2017. When His Excellency President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa assumed office, Zimbabwe entered a new chapter of engagement and re-engagement with the international community. Today, as our motherland hosts the 25th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government, we are witnessing the kind of international engagement and regional cooperation that I have always believed Zimbabwe deserves. I have always maintained that President Mnangagwa could have assumed leadership as early as 2014. However, God's timing is always the best. Looking at how far we have come, I believe that everything happens at its appointed time. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo!

Under the leadership of His Excellency President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa, since 2017, Zimbabwe has steadily reclaimed its place in the global community through the foreign policy mantra of “Engagement and Re-engagement.” It is encouraging to witness the growing diplomatic relations between Harare and London. The recognition of Zimbabwe's Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Mudenda @ParliamentZim, and his delegation by the Speaker of the UK House of Commons is a positive development in strengthening parliamentary diplomacy between our two nations. This engagement speaks volumes about Zimbabwe's growing international recognition and its potential to build stronger partnerships on the global stage. Diplomacy opens doors to trade, investment and economic cooperation. Strengthening relations between Harare and London can create new opportunities for investment, economic growth and development as Zimbabwe advances towards Vision 2030. Zimbabwe is engaging, reconnecting and building partnerships for a prosperous future.

Delivering it means less talk and more work