Botswana and Zimbabwe collaborate to remove trade and investment barriers
via NewsDay Zimbabwe6 min read
President Duma Boko of Botswana announced that Botswana and Zimbabwe are actively working to dismantle trade and investment bottlenecks. This initiative aims to improve the ease of doing business between the two nations. President Boko made these remarks during the official opening of the 66th edition of the 2026 International Trade Fair at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. The theme for this year's fair is "Connected Economies, Competitive Industries." The agreement to address these barriers was reached during a recent meeting in Harare between President Boko and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, where they committed to taking decisive action in line with their obligations under the African Continental Free Trade Area. President Boko emphasized the need to urgently remove non-tariff barriers such as customs and border inefficiencies, policy misalignment, administrative bottlenecks, and infrastructure deficits that increase the cost of doing business. He also highlighted Botswana's efforts in advancing infrastructure development, including roads, rail, and air transport, to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate seamless trade. The Botswana leader noted a shift towards a non-stop border system to improve cross-border trade efficiency. President Boko underscored the enduring cooperation between the two countries, citing shared history, culture, and a collective vision for a prosperous and integrated Africa. He described Zimbabwe as a critical trading partner for Botswan
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is looking to raise US$9 billion for its energy sector, with new regulations anticipated to accelerate grid expansion, improve electricity access, and attract new capital. This initiative comes as the country also focuses on other infrastructure projects and addresses climate and food security risks, including the impact of El Ni帽o. The government is also conducting a survey on the private solar boom, as many households are generating their own power. Additionally, Zimbabwe recently commissioned a specialized honey testing laboratory to enhance export competitiveness.
China has reiterated its dedication to bolstering its relationship with Zimbabwe, pledging ongoing support for the country's industrialization and Vision 2030 agenda. This commitment was highlighted by Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding at a reception marking the 99th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army. Ambassador Zhou described the relationship as an "all-weather" partnership, emphasizing expanding military, economic, and diplomatic cooperation. He noted that China remains Zimbabwe's largest source of foreign direct investment and a key trading partner, with Chinese investments contributing to infrastructure upgrades and industrial expansion, including improvements in power supply and transportation, and the development of manufacturing hubs for steel, tiles, cement, and fertilizers. Cooperation between the People's Liberation Army and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces has deepened through training, logistics, and strategic coordination. The ambassador also traced the historical ties to Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, acknowledging China's support through diplomatic backing, military assistance, and training. He mentioned President Xi Jinping's letter to Zimbabwean liberation war veterans, commending their contributions and encouraging them to inspire younger generations to strengthen China-Africa relations. Furthermore, Ambassador Zhou stated that China and Zimbabwe continue to collaborate on global affairs, defending multilateralism and advocating for a more equit
Must ReadZimbabwe has commissioned a specialized honey testing laboratory to enhance export competitiveness. In other financial news, local banks have provided a US$125 million syndicated loan to Mutapa Gold following its turnaround. Meanwhile, ART operations have been affected by power outages and shortages of raw materials, with the manufacturer reporting a 6% decline in export volumes and a 26% decline in paper division volumes for the third quarter ending June 2022. Additionally, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority ZERA plans to survey the private solar sector due to increased household power generation.