Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke, Zimpapers Writer
ZIMBABWE and Egypt have pledged to deepen co-operation in media, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and trade as part of broader efforts to strengthen partnerships under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere met outgoing Egyptian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Salwa Mowafi in Harare yesterday to explore new avenues for collaboration.
Dr Muswere said the engagement was part of Zimbabwe’s efforts to modernise the media sector and tap into Egypt’s expertise in large-scale infrastructure development.
“We are working together on modernising our respective media industries and how best we can support the African Continental Free Trade Area because intra-Africa trade is very low,” said Dr Muswere.
“We also agreed that it is time for us to deepen our technical, economic and political partnerships to support infrastructure development.
“As you know, Egypt has unveiled a new modern city, and Zimbabwe is working on similar projects.
“This co-operation will extend to tourism, agriculture, water purification, health and childcare and housing.”
Dr Muswere also highlighted the historical bonds between the two nations, recalling Egypt’s support during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle under the leadership of president Gamal Abdel Nasser.
This included the training of President Mnangagwa and diplomatic mobilisation efforts led by the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo.
“We seek to deepen that political, economic and technical co-operation in infrastructure, housing, agriculture, tourism and also principally in terms of how best we can modernise our public broadcasting institutions,” he said.
Ambassador Mowafi described the meeting as “very fruitful” and reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe across multiple sectors.
“Politically, our relations are at their best. We have achieved great success in building new cities in every governorate of Egypt in just eight years, including the new administrative capital near Cairo,” she said.
“We are well known as builders — from the pyramids to modern cities — and we wish to share these experiences with Zimbabwe.”
She also outlined plans for co-operation in tourism, health, agriculture and media, with a strong emphasis on capacity building and training for media professionals.
“I expressed the longstanding position of the Egyptian government that Egypt will continue to be committed to deepening the relations as we have done before Zimbabwe’s independence. We will continue to do even more in the future,” added Amb Mowafi.
