Tinotenda Hove- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has stepped up his push for Zimbabwean and South African businesses to pursue investment opportunities across borders, calling for a new phase of economic cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking at the Presidential Session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Business Forum at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Friday, Mnangagwa said the two countries should move beyond traditional trade and focus on joint investments, research, innovation and industrial development.

The appeal comes as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with economic challenges, raising questions over whether the Government can translate its ambitious investment rhetoric into meaningful industrial growth and improved opportunities for local businesses.

Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe and South Africa were already closely connected through trade involving machinery, technology, services, production inputs and markets.

“Some of the industrial solutions we require may already be sitting in the hands of our young people. This is where the relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa assumes even greater importance,” he said.

He argued that economic cooperation should not be measured only by the volume of goods exchanged between the two countries.

“Our cooperation must not be limited to how much we sell to one another. We need to consider partnerships across the borders, that is, what we can do together,” Mnangagwa said.

The President called for increased co-investment, collaboration between universities, technological innovation and greater involvement by financial institutions in funding major projects.

He said such partnerships could allow businesses to expand beyond the Zimbabwean and South African markets and gain access to opportunities across the wider Southern African region.

“Then, our businesses can use these partnerships to reach markets beyond Zimbabwe and South Africa. That is how a bilateral relationship begins to contribute to the transformation of an entire region,” he said.

Mnangagwa also said his administration would continue using the Bi-National Commission and other bilateral platforms to provide political direction and promote investment.

“At Government level, we will continue providing political direction through the Bi-National Commission and other frameworks,” he said.

“We will continue building an environment in which productive investment can thrive, technology can be exchanged, innovation can be commercialised and businesses can operate with confidence.”

He further emphasised the importance of cooperation through SADC and the African Union, saying Zimbabwe and South Africa should work together to strengthen the region’s productive capacity.
“As markets open, our producers must supply it. This is the partnership required between the State, the private sector, academia and our financial institutions,” he said.

Mnangagwa said the historic relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa should now translate into stronger economic cooperation.

“Zimbabwe and South Africa have stood together at important moments in the history of Southern Africa. We have a responsibility to carry that solidarity into the economic development of our region,” he said.

Invoking the national philosophy, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”, Mnangagwa called for collective efforts to drive regional development.

“Zimbabwe stands ready to continue working with South Africa, in a spirit of mutual respect, solidarity and shared benefit, towards a stronger, more self-reliant and industrialised Southern Africa,” he said.

The challenge, however, remains whether the latest investment push will produce concrete opportunities, new industries and jobs, rather than becoming another ambitious economic pledge with limited impact on ordinary Zimbabweans.