Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZIMBABWE is set for a rare double regional spotlight this month and next, with the country preparing to host the SADC Anti-Corruption Expo and Games in Victoria Falls before welcoming the region’s leaders for the 25th COMESA Summit in Harare.
At first glance, the two events may appear to belong to different worlds, one centred on fighting corruption and the other on trade, investment and economic integration.
But beneath the surface lies a powerful common denominator: there can be no meaningful industrialisation, investment promotion or regional economic integration without strong institutions, transparency and accountability.
That is why the timing of the SADC Anti-Corruption Expo and Games, set for Victoria Falls from September 17-19, could hardly be more opportune as Zimbabwe prepares to host the COMESA Summit on October 22.
The Victoria Falls gathering will bring together more than 800 anti-corruption officers from eight SADC member states, placing Zimbabwe at the centre of regional conversations on integrity, accountability and the fight against corruption.
The three-day event, according to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), will be officially opened by Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga on September 17 and will run under the theme, “Scaling Up Integrity Actions Across SADC”.
ZACC chairperson Mr Michael Reza said the expo and games were designed to strengthen regional cooperation in combating corruption while creating a platform for countries to share innovative strategies and best practices.
“Hosting the Expo and Games reflects Zimbabwe’s commitment to the Sadc Protocol Against Corruption, the continental and global anti-corruption frameworks,” he said.
The programme will start with a cultural showcase on September 17 before sporting activities and an anti-corruption exhibition take centre stage on September 18 at Chinotimba Stadium.
For Zimbabwe, however, the importance of the event goes beyond the sporting activities, exhibitions and ceremonial aspects.
It provides an opportunity to place corruption where it belongs — not merely as a governance problem, but as a serious economic impediment capable of undermining the very regional development ambitions that will dominate discussions at the COMESA Summit.
Mr Reza has already framed Zimbabwe’s hosting of the event within the country’s obligations under the SADC Protocol Against Corruption as well as continental and global anti-corruption frameworks, including the African union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
This is significant because corruption does not stop at national borders.
As economies become increasingly integrated, illicit financial flows, procurement fraud, money laundering, bribery and other forms of corruption can move across jurisdictions, making regional cooperation essential.
SADC countries, therefore, require more than isolated national strategies.
They need stronger cooperation among anti-corruption agencies, harmonised approaches, information sharing and common standards that make it increasingly difficult for corrupt networks to exploit differences between national systems.
The same argument applies to COMESA, whose economic agenda is anchored on building a more integrated and competitive regional market.
The 25th COMESA Summit, to be held in Harare on October 22, is expected to focus on industrialisation, investment promotion and regional economic integration, three areas that are particularly vulnerable to the corrosive effects of corruption.
Industrialisation requires massive investment in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, transport and technology.
But when public procurement is manipulated, contracts are awarded through favouritism or kickbacks and resources intended for development are diverted, the cost of industrialisation inevitably rises.
A road may cost more than it should.
A power project may be delayed. A factory may fail to receive the infrastructure it requires. A public institution may pay inflated prices for goods and services.
The consequence is not simply the loss of public money.
It is a lost economic opportunity.
Every dollar diverted through corruption is a dollar that could have gone towards a productive investment, a factory, a road, an irrigation scheme, electricity generation or other infrastructure necessary to support economic growth.
This is why the anti-corruption agenda must be viewed as an economic development agenda.
For COMESA, the challenge is particularly important because regional integration depends heavily on confidence.
Investors want predictable rules, transparent procurement systems, fair competition and institutions capable of protecting investments.
Where corruption is perceived to be widespread, businesses face additional costs and risks. Investors may demand higher returns to compensate for those risks, postpone projects or simply choose alternative destinations.
The World Economic Forum has estimated that corruption can increase the cost of doing business by up to 10 percent on average, illustrating how corruption can become an invisible tax on economic activity.
This is precisely where the COMESA Business Council’s efforts become relevant.
COMESA has developed a Regional Model Code on Anti-Corruption Compliance to help enterprises strengthen integrity and improve the business environment across the region.
The initiative falls under the COMESA Business Council’s Integrity Project, implemented in partnership with the Centre for International Private Enterprise.
The objective is to build the capacity of the private sector to prevent corruption and participate more actively in transparency and reform initiatives.
The Regional Code provides enterprises with a guide for developing and implementing corruption-prevention mechanisms and promoting a culture of integrity within businesses operating in the COMESA region.
This is important because the fight against corruption cannot be left entirely to governments and anti-corruption commissions.
The private sector is an important player in economic development and, equally, has a responsibility to ensure that businesses do not become vehicles for corrupt practices.
For Zimbabwe, the SADC Anti-Corruption Expo, therefore, comes at a strategic moment.
It offers the country an opportunity to demonstrate that the fight against corruption is not being treated as an isolated administrative exercise, but as part of the broader national and regional development agenda.
The rehabilitation of Chinotimba Stadium, which has been transformed into a multi-disciplinary sporting facility, also gives the event a tangible legacy for the Victoria Falls community and Matabeleland North province.
Mr Reza said hosting the expo reflected Zimbabwe’s commitment to regional, continental and international anti-corruption frameworks.
The challenge now is to ensure that the discussions do not end when the delegates leave Victoria Falls.
The real measure of success will be whether the ideas exchanged, lessons learnt and partnerships forged translate into stronger institutions and practical action.
This becomes even more important as Zimbabwe prepares for the COMESA Summit.
The summit will bring together leaders from a bloc whose economic ambitions cannot be separated from the quality of governance within member states.
Regional economic integration requires trust between countries.
Investors need confidence that cross-border investments will be protected. Businesses need assurance that competition will be fair. Governments need confidence that regional agreements will be implemented consistently.
