Harare — President Emmerson Mnangagwa chaired the 23rd Cabinet Meeting on July 14, 2026, where the government reported that 99,418 Zimbabwean nationals had been repatriated from South Africa between May 28 and July 10, with more than 70 percent of returnees being women and children.

The Cabinet also approved a series of memoranda of understanding with Belarus, Qatar, and South Africa, which endorsed Zimbabwe’s bid to host the Youth Connekt Africa Summit in 2027, and gave the green light for co-hosting the 2027 Global Africa Women’s Sustainability Conference in Victoria Falls.

Mass Repatriation from South Africa

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Environment, Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Prevention and Management, presented the update on the repatriation and reintegration of Zimbabwean nationals from South Africa.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee and development partners facilitated the return of citizens through collaborative efforts. Government noted that the number of Zimbabwean nationals requiring repatriation and reintegration assistance has continued to increase, with measures put in place to meet the growing demand.

First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa toured the Beitbridge Repatriation Centre on July 7, donating 30 tonnes of rice, 20 tonnes of mealie-meal, over 5,000 track suits, 1,500 diapers, and 1,500 units of sanitary wear.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care, in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières and the Higher Life Foundation, has attended to over 191,000 patients and screened 870 children for malnutrition, with 15 diarrhea cases identified and treated.

The Border Management Committee — comprising the Department of Immigration, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Vehicle Inspection Department, and Zimbabwe Borders — has intensified measures to facilitate efficient immigration processing, including clearing buses and trucks transporting returnees. Security services will continue monitoring illegal entries at undesignated points, particularly in Beitbridge and Plumtree.

Postal and Telecommunications Sector Performance

Information Communication Technology Minister Tatenda Mavetera presented the Postal and Telecommunications Sector Performance Report for the First Quarter of 2026.

The sector recorded a 2.99 percent increase in active mobile subscriptions and a 1.5 percent increase in mobile penetration. Zimbabwe recorded a significant 57.28 percent increase in internet and data traffic, driven by accelerated LTE and 5G infrastructure deployment and increased smartphone adoption.

Thirteen new 5G base stations were deployed, bringing the total to 379, alongside 161 LTE, 85 3G, and 68 2G new base stations. The total fibre backbone expanded by 33.83 percent, surpassing 19,000 kilometers.

The Postal and Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2025 is progressing through parliamentary processes to strengthen the regulatory framework.

African Peer Review Mechanism Launch

Foreign Affairs Minister Amon Murwira presented the Zimbabwe African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Programme of Action. President Mnangagwa presented the Review Report on “Economic Governance and Management” at the 35th Ordinary Session of the APRM Forum.

The official launch of the APRM in Zimbabwe will take place on July 16, 2026, with Ugandan Vice President Major (Rtd) Jessica Rose Epel Alupo representing Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is Chairperson of the African Peer Review Forum.

Radiation Protection Amendment Bill

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi presented the Radiation Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to modernize the regulatory framework for radiation protection and align Zimbabwe with International Atomic Energy Agency commitments.

International Memoranda of Understanding

Cabinet approved four separate memoranda of understanding. The first, with Belarus, covers cooperation in the field of arts and culture, including joint exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and exchange of experts in museums, folklore, and films, as well as the protection and restoration of historical and cultural heritage.

The second, with Qatar, establishes a framework for youth programmes focusing on youth entrepreneurship, development of national youth policies, exchange of experiences, and related research.

The third, with South Africa, concerns higher education and training, aiming to broaden access to quality education through exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, institutional partnerships, and mutual recognition of qualifications.

The fourth, also with South Africa, focuses on arts, culture and heritage, covering conservation and restoration of archival documents, collaboration between national archives and museums, prevention of cross-border trafficking of cultural property, and cooperation on the Museum of African Liberation project located in Zimbabwe, including the provision of historical artifacts from South Africa’s liberation struggle.

Upcoming International Conferences

Cabinet approved co-hosting the 2027 Global Africa Women’s Sustainability Conference in Victoria Falls under the theme “Reimagine, Reshape, Rise: Women as Vanguards of Global Sustainable Future.” The conference, hosted annually by the NGO ImpactHer, will position Zimbabwe and the Southern African region as a hub for women-led sustainable enterprises and green innovation.

Preparations are also underway for hosting the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit in Harare on October 22, 2026, under the theme “One Market One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA.” The summit will be preceded by the COMESA Business Forum on October 20 and the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on October 21.

Additionally, Cabinet approved Zimbabwe’s bid to host the Youth Connekt Africa Summit in 2027. The continental platform connects young people to economic opportunities, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, financial inclusion, mentorship and policy dialogue, and the summit will enhance Zimbabwe’s international image and strengthen diplomatic cooperation with African countries and development partners.