Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE is committed to fostering an environment conducive for the growth of the aviation sector, with the Government working tirelessly on the liberalisation of the country’s skies in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation and its open skies policy.
The Government has demonstrated this by granting freedom of traffic rights to African, Middle East and European airlines currently flying into the country.
This was revealed on Monday when the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe held its 9th annual general meeting (AGM) in Harare, which was aimed at reviewing performance, financial status and strategic direction.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Joshua Sacco, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development, Cde Tawanda Karikoga, CAAZ director general Mr George Mashababe, CAAZ deputy chairperson
Mr Joshua Muhwati and senior Government officials attended the meeting.
Deputy Minister Sacco said it was mandatory for Public Entities and State Enterprises to hold AGMs each year to assess the previous year’s activities and outline objectives for the forthcoming year.
He said the commitment of the CAAZ board and management to comply with the Public Companies and Corporate Governance (PECOG) Act (Chapter 10:31) and other relevant national laws was evident in the authority’s initiatives to address the outstanding AGMs.
“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, as Zimbabwe’s Aeronautical Authority, is committed to fostering an environment conducive to the growth of the aviation sector, enabling it to effectively serve as a catalyst for the country’s economic advancement. In alignment with our national objectives, this will be achieved through the provision of a sustainable policy framework and strategic guidance.
“I am delighted to inform you that the Government of Zimbabwe is working tirelessly towards liberalisation of Zimbabwean skies in tandem with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommendations and the dictates of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) provisions for opening of African skies. Zimbabwe has adopted the Open Skies Policy and has demonstrated its commitment through the granting of 5th freedom traffic rights to African, the Middle East and European airlines that are currently flying into the country. This policy thrust is in line with His Excellency Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s mantra that ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’; this mantra for the aviation industry has resulted in enhanced air connectivity, thus accelerating the growth of trade, investment and tourism,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the senior officials and staff of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, as well as all State Entities associated with the ministry, for their outstanding contributions to date which have earned them recognition and accolades from President Mnangagwa.
Deputy Minister Sacco said these esteemed awards were earned due to the significant flagship projects successfully completed under the ministry in 2024, in alignment with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) for the period 2021-2025, which serves as our development framework.
Some of the key projects completed in the aviation sector include: the Aviation Training Academy of Zimbabwe; Air Traffic Control Communication System – completed and commissioned in 2024; Air Navigation Aids -completed and commissioned in 2024; the RG Mugabe International Airport Expansion project and the VVIP Pavilion at RGMI Airport.
