Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZANU – PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Cde Chris Mutsvangwa, has said the country’s anti-sanctions campaign is on the verge of a historic breakthrough as the United States congress is set to debate a bill on the review of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA) of 2001.
In a press brief before the Central Committee meeting in Harare on Thursday, Cde Mutsvangwa, said sanctions review by the United States congress is a major victory for Zimbabwe’s long struggle against the embargo.
The development comes as international financial institutions, including the IMF and World Bank, project Zimbabwe’s economic growth at six percent this year, placing the country among the fastest-growing economies in the region.
From being labelled a pariah state, Zimbabwe is now attracting renewed global engagement, increased exports and expanding diplomatic attention, developments ZANU-PF says validate President Mnangagwa’s economic and re-engagement agenda.
“We are witnessing a moment we have long worked for, where the anti-sanctions lobby is finally about to score real success. There is now a debate inside the United States political system acknowledging that ZIDERA must be reviewed. For the first time in many years, a bill is before Congress to reconsider these unjust measures on Zimbabwe. We welcome this development because it signals a shift in Washington’s attitude. We hope this process restores relations to an even keel with a global superpower,” Cde Mutsvangwa said.
He said the country’s economic performance, anchored on mining growth and rising exports, had altered global attitudes and reaffirmed the resilience of the Second Republic.
Cde Mutsvangwa said the massive private-sector investments in mining had outpaced existing infrastructure, prompting Government’s renewed focus on roads, railways, power generation and water systems.
“This year has shown spectacular successes on the infrastructure front and Zimbabwe is steadily reclaiming its industrial base. We now have a full-fledged steel industry and a world-class road network taking shape across the country. Mining investment has surged so dramatically that it now outstrips existing infrastructure, pushing us to innovate around rail, energy and water systems. These are the issues the President has prioritised as Zimbabwe modernises. The gap between mining growth and infrastructure is being narrowed with deliberate planning.” he said.
Cde Mutsvangwa said the revival of Hwange as the national energy hub and the emergence of new export routes, especially through Beira, were reshaping the country’s economic geography. For the first time in 60 years, exports through Beira have surpassed those via South Africa’s Beitbridge.
“Our export routes are changing, and for the first time in six decades, Beira has overtaken Beitbridge. This development shows that Zimbabwe is rediscovering its natural outlet to the sea, reducing logistics costs and boosting competitiveness. The President and his Mozambican counterpart recently celebrated this milestone as a sign of regional integration. Cheaper transport routes mean more exports, less inflation and faster industrial revival. This shift confirms that Zimbabwe’s economy is becoming deeply interconnected with its neighbours once again,” said Cde Ambassador.
He said that Zimbabwe’s diplomacy has entered a new phase, with growing engagements across SADC, increased visits from African leaders and the President’s participation in high-level EU-Africa meetings, an event he said would have been unthinkable a few years ago.
Cde Mutsvangwa said the country’s re-engagement drive remains grounded in Pan-Africanism, solidarity with long-standing allies such as China, India and Brazil and a commitment to Africa-wide economic cooperation.
