Zimbabwe, Mozambique chart new era of regional integration

Africa Moyo in MAPUTO MozambiquePRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday concluded his State visit to Mozambique and the inaugural Zimbabwe–Mozambique Bi-National Commission (BNC) with the two countries adopting major decisions aimed at transforming regional trade and connectivity, including the establishment of a dry port facility in Beira.The development will also see the modernisation of the fuel pipeline and creation of a one-stop border post at Forbes/Machipanda.The agreements, which are envisaged to ease the movement of goods and people, reducing logistics costs and boosting regional competitiveness, formed part of a wide-ranging set of deals signed during the BNC, which also produced three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality, Youth Development and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).President Daniel ChapoThe BNC was held in an atmosphere of deep brotherhood, with President Mnangagwa and his Mozambican counterpart, President Daniel Chapo, repeatedly referring to each other as “younger brother” and “senior brother”, underlining the historical bonds linking the two nations.It was a symbolic occasion for both leaders as President Mnangagwa became the first Head of State to pay President Chapo a State visit since his inauguration in January.Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, President Mnangagwa said the inaugural BNC had been warm, productive and reflective of the deep solidarity and historic friendship between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.“Our two governments reviewed the excellent multi-faceted cooperation between us including in sector such as, energy, transport, mineral resources, trade, agriculture, health, education, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), youth and technology,” said President Mnangagwa.“We resolved to accelerate implementation of agreed decisions for the mutual benefit of our peoples.“Youth and women empowerment were highlighted as important components and yardsticks of economic growth and sustainable development.”A significant portion of the deliberations focused on enhancing petroleum logistics through Beira Port.The leaders approved the establishment of a dry port facility to strengthen the Beira Development Corridor and improve the movement of fuel and other key commodities. President Mnangagwa said the dry port would benefit not only Zimbabwe and Mozambique but also the wider Southern African region.Zimbabwe also expressed appreciation for Mozambique’s continued support in energy and fuel supply, while the two countries agreed to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers under SADC and AfCFTA frameworks.“Our two countries are indeed desirous to eliminate all barriers to the free movement of people, between us,” said the President.“We value Government and private sector collaborations, which have been enhanced by the convening of the Zimbabwe-Mozambique Business Forum that ran on the sidelines of the State visit.“Furthermore, we agreed to conclude the framework agreement on the establishment of one-stop border posts at Forbes-Machipanda and Nyamapanda-Cuchamano border posts, by the end of the first quarter of 2026.”Both governments also resolved to formalise and commercialise several traditional crossing points along their border to improve small-scale trade and community movement.On peace and security, the BNC reaffirmed cooperation in confronting regional threats, particularly extremist violence in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province.When asked whether Zimbabwe was ready to assist, President Mnangagwa responded: “Terrorism is terrorism and wherever it rears its ugly head, it must be fought. It has no rules and its destructive.“Zimbabwe will, at any moment, assist when the affected nation asks for assistance. We were once called terrorists and we know the tactics of dealing with terrorism.”The two leaders also reiterated their commitment to Pan-Africanism, regional integration and multilateral reform, with Mozambique reaffirming its support for Zimbabwe’s bid for a UN Security Council non-permanent seat (2027–2028).President Chapo, speaking through an interpreter, said President Mnangagwa’s visit reaffirmed the vitality of bilateral relations rooted in shared geography, culture and liberation history.“Our relations are historical, geographical, cultural and rooted in the fight for our independence,” he said.“We have conducted a thorough introspection of our relations and we want to reiterate our continued support to Zimbabwe even for the non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the period 2027 to 2028.“Let us maximise our relations in agriculture, tourism and hydro resources,” he said.A communiqué issued after the BNC said the two Heads of State reviewed bilateral cooperation and agreed on a structured action plan with clear timelines to implement all decisions taken.Co-operation will be strengthened across mineral resources, energy, transport, public works, housing, water, tourism, health, education, technology, women empowerment, youth, SMEs and culture.The leaders also stressed improving strategic energy cooperation, including upgrading the Beira–Harare pipeline and reducing demurrage charges.They further emphasised coordinated regional responses to instability and called for regular meetings of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security.Special documentation for border communities, enhanced support for war veteran affairs and preservation of shared liberation heritage were also agreed upon, including a review of the MoU on Museums and Monuments.After the BNC, President Mnangagwa visited Mozambique’s National Heroes Acre, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and honouring national icons such as Samora Machel and Eduardo Mondlane.He reminded young people that the independence enjoyed today did not come on a silver platter.He later toured MozParks, the country’s largest industrial park and free-trade zone, where he observed operations at Falcon Steel, one of the park’s leading manufacturers.Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Africa Moyo in MAPUTO MozambiquePRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday concluded his State visit to Mozambique and the inaugural Zimbabwe–Mozambique Bi-National Commission (BNC) with the two countries adopting major decisions aimed at transforming regional trade and connectivity, including the establishment of a dry port facility in Beira.The development will also see the modernisation of the fuel pipeline and creation of a one-stop border post at Forbes/Machipanda.The agreements, which are envisaged to ease the movement of goods and people, reducing logistics costs and boosting regional competitiveness, formed part of a wide-ranging set of deals signed during the BNC, which also produced three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality, Youth Development and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).President Daniel ChapoThe BNC was held in an atmosphere of deep brotherhood, with President Mnangagwa and his Mozambican counterpart, President Daniel Chapo, repeatedly referring to each other as “younger brother” and “senior brother”, underlining the historical bonds linking the two nations.It was a symbolic occasion for both leaders as President Mnangagwa became the first Head of State to pay President Chapo a State visit since his inauguration in January.Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, President Mnangagwa said the inaugural BNC had been warm, productive and reflective of the deep solidarity and historic friendship between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.“Our two governments reviewed the excellent multi-faceted cooperation between us including in sector such as, energy, transport, mineral resources, trade, agriculture, health, education, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), youth and technology,” said President Mnangagwa.“We resolved to accelerate implementation of agreed decisions for the mutual benefit of our peoples.“Youth and women empowerment were highlighted as important components and yardsticks of economic growth and sustainable development.”A significant portion of the deliberations focused on enhancing petroleum logistics through Beira Port.The leaders approved the establishment of a dry port facility to strengthen the Beira Development Corridor and improve the movement of fuel and other key commodities. President Mnangagwa said the dry port would benefit not only Zimbabwe and Mozambique but also the wider Southern African region.Zimbabwe also expressed appreciation for Mozambique’s continued support in energy and fuel supply, while the two countries agreed to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers under SADC and AfCFTA frameworks.“Our two countries are indeed desirous to eliminate all barriers to the free movement of people, between us,” said the President.“We value Government and private sector collaborations, which have been enhanced by the convening of the Zimbabwe-Mozambique Business Forum that ran on the sidelines of the State visit.“Furthermore, we agreed to conclude the framework agreement on the establishment of one-stop border posts at Forbes-Machipanda and Nyamapanda-Cuchamano border posts, by the end of the first quarter of 2026.”Both governments also resolved to formalise and commercialise several traditional crossing points along their border to improve small-scale trade and community movement.On peace and security, the BNC reaffirmed cooperation in confronting regional threats, particularly extremist violence in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province.When asked whether Zimbabwe was ready to assist, President Mnangagwa responded: “Terrorism is terrorism and wherever it rears its ugly head, it must be fought. It has no rules and its destructive.“Zimbabwe will, at any moment, assist when the affected nation asks for assistance. We were once called terrorists and we know the tactics of dealing with terrorism.”The two leaders also reiterated their commitment to Pan-Africanism, regional integration and multilateral reform, with Mozambique reaffirming its support for Zimbabwe’s bid for a UN Security Council non-permanent seat (2027–2028).President Chapo, speaking through an interpreter, said President Mnangagwa’s visit reaffirmed the vitality of bilateral relations rooted in shared geography, culture and liberation history.“Our relations are historical, geographical, cultural and rooted in the fight for our independence,” he said.“We have conducted a thorough introspection of our relations and we want to reiterate our continued support to Zimbabwe even for the non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the period 2027 to 2028.“Let us maximise our relations in agriculture, tourism and hydro resources,” he said.A communiqué issued after the BNC said the two Heads of State reviewed bilateral cooperation and agreed on a structured action plan with clear timelines to implement all decisions taken.Co-operation will be strengthened across mineral resources, energy, transport, public works, housing, water, tourism, health, education, technology, women empowerment, youth, SMEs and culture.The leaders also stressed improving strategic energy cooperation, including upgrading the Beira–Harare pipeline and reducing demurrage charges.They further emphasised coordinated regional responses to instability and called for regular meetings of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security.Special documentation for border communities, enhanced support for war veteran affairs and preservation of shared liberation heritage were also agreed upon, including a review of the MoU on Museums and Monuments.After the BNC, President Mnangagwa visited Mozambique’s National Heroes Acre, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and honouring national icons such as Samora Machel and Eduardo Mondlane.He reminded young people that the independence enjoyed today did not come on a silver platter.He later toured MozParks, the country’s largest industrial park and free-trade zone, where he observed operations at Falcon Steel, one of the park’s leading manufacturers.

Africa Moyo in MAPUTO Mozambique

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday concluded his State visit to Mozambique and the inaugural Zimbabwe–Mozambique Bi-National Commission (BNC) with the two countries adopting major decisions aimed at transforming regional trade and connectivity, including the establishment of a dry port facility in Beira.

The development will also see the modernisation of the fuel pipeline and creation of a one-stop border post at Forbes/Machipanda.

The agreements, which are envisaged to ease the movement of goods and people, reducing logistics costs and boosting regional competitiveness, formed part of a wide-ranging set of deals signed during the BNC, which also produced three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality, Youth Development and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The BNC was held in an atmosphere of deep brotherhood, with President Mnangagwa and his Mozambican counterpart, President Daniel Chapo, repeatedly referring to each other as “younger brother” and “senior brother”, underlining the historical bonds linking the two nations.

It was a symbolic occasion for both leaders as President Mnangagwa became the first Head of State to pay President Chapo a State visit since his inauguration in January.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, President Mnangagwa said the inaugural BNC had been warm, productive and reflective of the deep solidarity and historic friendship between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

“Our two governments reviewed the excellent multi-faceted cooperation between us including in sector such as, energy, transport, mineral resources, trade, agriculture, health, education, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), youth and technology,” said President Mnangagwa.

“We resolved to accelerate implementation of agreed decisions for the mutual benefit of our peoples.“Youth and women empowerment were highlighted as important components and yardsticks of economic growth and sustainable development.”