Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
ZIMBABWE’s diplomatic offensive under the Second Republic has yielded massive economic dividends, with national exports soaring from US$2 billion in 2017 to a record US$16.5 billion by December 2025, a Cabinet Minister has said.
The massive jump — representing more than a seven-fold increase in value — is credited to President Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement policy, which has successfully re-integrated the country into the global community of nations.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira shared the statistics on Star FM’s Muriro on Monday current affairs programme, crediting the President’s policies for the success.
“In 2017, our exports were around US$2 billion, mainly driven by minerals. Our exports as of December 2025 are at US$16.5 billion,” he said.
“That tells you statistically that we have over an 800 percent increase in trade. And when it comes to investment, by 2017 we did not have a steel plant. Today, we have a steel plant that is producing an estimated 2 million tonnes of steel.”
Prof Murwira said President Mnangagwa’s main aim since taking over the reins in November 2017 has been to integrate Zimbabwe into the world economy.
He added that the policy has delivered “tangible” industrial results that were non-existent prior to the Second Republic.
“By 2017, we did not have as many lithium mines. Today, we have a lot of lithium mines. All these are results of engagement and re-engagement, integrating Zimbabwe into the world economy.
“His Excellency the President started this policy of engagement and re-engagement and then supported it with enabling doctrines. One of the doctrines is ‘Zimbabwe is open for business.’ Another doctrine is that ‘we are a friend to all and an enemy to none.’”
Prof Murwira likened the country’s diplomatic strategy to a ship navigating the high seas, adding that while diplomacy can be “turbulent”, Zimbabwe has remained firm on its sovereignty while pursuing a “liberated mind”.
In the last quarter of 2025, the economy grew by 9.5 percent — a figure the minister described as unprecedented since independence.
“We were having negative growth in 2017. Now we have positive growth. In the last quarter of 2025, we grew at 9.5 percent. It has never happened since independence. This is the result of a country navigating within a turbulent diplomatic environment but remaining stable and steady,” he said.
