Online Reporter
Daniel Chigunwe
Herald Correspondent
THE recent Zimbabwe-Mozambique Business Forum, hosted in Maputo, has been applauded for marking a significant milestone in fostering deeper economic collaboration between the two neighbouring nations as well as enhancing Diaspora engagement.
The forum, which ran on the sidelines of the inaugural Bi-National Commission and attended by President Mnangagwa together with his Mozambique counterpart, President Daniel Chapo, brought together policymakers, business leaders, and Diaspora representatives to chart a path for enhanced investment and trade.
At the heart of the discussions was a shared vision for regional integration, with both leaders emphasising the urgent need for partnership in sectors such as trade, energy, and infrastructure with the forum providing a vibrant platform for dialogue, networking, and forging new commercial relationships, with a particular focus on unlocking the region’s economic potential.
Among the notable participants during the forum was Mr. Blessed Kapesa, chairperson of the Zimbabweans in Diaspora Organisation (ZIDO) who described the event as “not only strengthening regional cooperation but also reinforcing the vital role the diaspora community plays in shaping Africa’s economic future.”
ZIDO which hosts various investment expos in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Zimbabwe, aims to align diaspora investments with the national development goals such as employment creation, technology transfer and economic growth.
“I was honoured to participate in the Mozambique–Zimbabwe Business Forum hosted by President Chapo in Maputo. The engagements between President Mnangagwa and President Chapo underscored the critical importance of collaboration in driving investment, expanding trade, and strengthening energy cooperation across the region.
“Events like these are essential platforms for organisations to connect directly with policymakers, explore new markets, and align their strategies with national and regional development priorities. For diaspora organisations such as the Zimbabweans in Diaspora Organisation (ZIDO), these forums are especially valuable
“They open pathways for diaspora investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals to engage meaningfully with home-continent opportunities, contribute to economic growth, and build partnerships that support long-term development,” said Mr Kapesa.
The forum, jointly organised by ZimTrade, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) and Mozambique’s Agência para a Promoção de Investimento e Exportações (APIEX), aimed at deepening cooperation in trade, investment, and tourism while advancing the Second Republic’s economic diplomacy drive.
During the forum special sessions were dedicated to harnessing the skills, capital, and networks of the diaspora, recognising their potential as catalysts for innovation and growth.
Furthermore, the forum highlighted several key outcomes including commitment to bilateral investment as both governments pledged to reduce barriers and create incentives for cross-border investments, particularly in energy and agriculture.
