Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve in Victoria Falls
THE Old Mutual Zimbabwe Group has called on local businesses to move away from cut-throat competition and instead embrace collaborative models, particularly Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), to drive business growth and national development.
Old Mutual Zimbabwe Group chief executive officer, Mr Samuel Matsekede, made these remarks while addressing delegates at the Chartered Governance and Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe (CGIAZ)’s 2025 Annual Conference, which concluded in Victoria Falls on Friday.
His presentation, titled “From Rivalry to Cooperation: The Future of Strategic Partnerships,” emphasised that in today’s uncertain global economic climate, collaboration is no longer a luxury but a strategic necessity for survival and success.
He outlined the core principles of a successful partnership.
“Strategic partnerships are not mere transactions or short-term contracts, but rather long-term agreements built on shared resources, common objectives, and mutual control.
“These alliances enable organisations to pool capabilities and competencies that would be difficult to develop internally, providing essential flexibility and allowing for a faster turnaround when speed is of the essence,” he said.
Mr Matsekede provided a clear framework for understanding collaboration, highlighting the unique value of PPPs.
“Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are distinctive in their focus on public assets and services, combining government oversight with private sector expertise and resources,” he said.
He argued that this model is ideally suited to addressing Zimbabwe’s urgent infrastructure and service delivery challenges.
To illustrate the transformative potential of such cooperation, Mr Matsekede cited the example of Debswana in Botswana—a 50/50 joint venture between De Beers and the government.
“Debswana transformed the country into a middle-income nation,” he said, noting that the partnership contributes around 30 percent of Gross Domestic Product, over 75 percent of exports, and tens of thousands of jobs.
This, he stressed, demonstrates the immense national impact that a well-structured partnership can achieve.
He also referenced the historic joint venture between oil giants SoCal and Texaco, which eventually evolved into the global powerhouse Caltex, as evidence that cooperation can build empires far greater than competition alone could achieve.
However, Mr Matsekede cautioned that success is not guaranteed by a simple handshake.
“Partnerships require sustained effort in governance, compliance, ethics, and operational alignment,” he said.
Looking ahead, he observed that local firms face significant threats from foreign competitors who benefit from scale and subsidies.
The solution, he proposed, lies in innovative partnerships that combine local knowledge with international expertise.
Mr Matsekede called for a fundamental shift in mindset among both businesses and policymakers. He advocated the view that strategic partnerships, when grounded in good governance and ethical practice, can unlock shared value, accelerate development, and strengthen resilience in an increasingly interconnected world.
