Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa arrives here today to take part in the World Governments Summit, which kicks off tomorrow, as Zimbabwe intensifies its engagement with global political and business leaders under the country’s engagement and re-engagement agenda.
The high-level three-day summit, running under the theme “Shaping Future Governments,” brings together heads of state, policymakers, business leaders and innovators to deliberate on governance models suited to a rapidly changing global environment shaped by technological advancement and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Speaking to journalists here yesterday ahead of the President’s visit, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira said the summit’s focus on future-oriented governance resonated with Zimbabwe’s development trajectory.
“His Excellency the President is going to be here basically as part of the broader policy of the engagement and re-engagement agenda, which has seen Zimbabwe growing its trade for, in effect, its exports from an approximate figure of 2 billion in 2017 when he took over to the current over 16 billion in terms of exports,” he said.
“So, the efforts that His Excellency is making are actually around these kinds of meetings, being able to engage with other world leaders, business leaders, political leaders, to move Zimbabwe forward as part of our integration of Zimbabwe into the global economy, which he is doing so successfully.”
President Mnangagwa is expected to hold a series of bilateral engagements with political and business leaders during the summit
“He will be very busy here, engaging with all these leaders and all this leading to our biggest national objective, which is stated in Section 8, Chapter 2 of the Constitution, making sure that we do prosperity, happiness and fulfilling lives for all people through economic activity and this is the facilitation of economic activity that His Excellency is doing,” he said.
Prof Murwira said President Mnangagwa’s participation in global platforms such as the World Governments Summit was central to positioning Zimbabwe within the global economy.
He noted that Zimbabwe’s growing international profile was already yielding dividends, citing the country’s recognition by Forbes magazine as a top global tourism destination in 2025.
“Zimbabwe’s main aim is to make sure that Zimbabwe is sold as a peaceful, stable and future-oriented society. And this is done by the Chief Diplomat of the country, who is the President. Issues of tourism are going to be discussed.
Issues of technology are going to be discussed. Issues of general governance are going to be discussed. You would remember that Zimbabwe, 2025, is rated by Forbes magazine as the go-to destination in the world,” said Prof Murwira.
“All these things don’t come suddenly. They come from the efforts of His Excellency in his foreign policy and his presence at such strategic meetings, such as the World Government Summit, shaping the future governments.”
Prof Murwira highlighted Zimbabwe’s competitive advantages, including its vast mineral wealth, particularly critical minerals, favourable climate, rich natural heritage and strong human capital base.
“You know, Zimbabwe is a unique country in the world, with the highest density of minerals, including critical minerals. We have the best climate in the world, to the extent that, if I give you an example of crops, blueberries. We have the best blueberries in the world.
“We have the best tobacco in the world. Zimbabwe is a good heritage base, a natural resource base. And upon this natural resource base, we have an amazing peace and security environment. And upon all this talent, Zimbabwe has good human capital. With 98 percent literacy and technical capabilities, Zimbabwe attracts a lot of investment in this area, including the area, as I say, of critical minerals and so on,” said Prof Murwira.
“So, Zimbabwe, as I say, is a unique country in the world, very unique in that we seem to have the best of everything. But we need now to navigate our ship in such a way that all this best of everything is translated into prosperity, happiness and fulfilling lives for all.”
