Africa builds Africa…Is the next decade African?

AFRICA can only be built, promoted and developed by its own people, a philosophy that Zimbabwe has fully grasped and rolled out to uplift its people into prosperity, President Mnangagwa has said.

Under the rallying principle of “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”, Zimbabwe is mobilising its greatest assets — its citizens and its natural wealth — to write a new chapter of inclusive prosperity, leaving no one and no place behind.

Speaking upon landing at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport yesterday, following a successful working visit to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he attended the World Governments Summit (WGS), the President said Africa had spoken with one voice during the three-day gathering.

He said it was also worth noting that African countries continued looking to implement Zimbabwe’s ‘nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’ philosophy at a continental level.

“Well, I can say that as Africans, we had one voice. I think we spoke with one voice and I think we all agreed on the philosophy that we have in Zimbabwe, ‘nyika inovakwa nevene wayo’. Africa can only be built, promoted and developed by its own people,” said President Mnangagwa.

The President joined 40 fellow global leaders for high-level engagements at the Summit as nations sought future-ready strategies amid rapid technological changes and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Running under the theme “Shaping Future Governments”, the summit also brought together 150 government delegations, 700 chief executive officers from leading companies across the globe and over 6 000 participants, including policymakers, business leaders and innovators.

During the Summit, President Mnangagwa also took part in a high-level plenary session facilitated by prominent American journalist Tucker Carlson, titled “Is the next decade African?”

Joining him were Botswana President Duma Boko and the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio.

During the plenary session, President Mnangagwa highlighted that Zimbabwe and Africa at large would protect their interests.

He emphasised that Zimbabwe, as a sovereign nation, prioritises what is best for its own interests and does not concern itself with pleasing either the East or the West, but focuses solely on its own objectives.

“Zimbabwe is a sovereign State and we move on the basis that gives us the best results for our resources, whether it is in relation to the West or the East. What is primarily important is what we ourselves, as Zimbabweans, are satisfied with.

“We don’t need to please the West or please the East. We please ourselves,” said President Mnangagwa.

The WGS is a global forum dedicated to shaping the future of governments worldwide. Held annually in Dubai, it brings together leaders, policymakers, experts and innovators from governments, academia, the private sector, and international organisations to discuss governance, futurism, technology and sustainable development.

The summit emphasises anticipating future trends—from AI and climate change to public health and urban development—and preparing governments for upcoming challenges.

On the sidelines of the WGS, the President met a delegation from Masdar Abu Dhabi Renewable Energy Company, with the global renewable energy giant expressing keen interest in investing in Zimbabwe’s electricity sector.

Zimbabwe and the UAE also extended their Government Experiences Exchange Programme to 2030.

The programme falls under a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the improvement and development of Government activities signed in February 2023.

The President was accompanied to Dubai by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera and Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka, among other senior Government officials.

The ministers were assigned by President Mnangagwa to engage in key thematic areas aligned with their respective portfolios in pursuit of the country’s national priorities.

President Mnangagwa was welcomed by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, senior Government officials and service chiefs, among others.