Ghana and Zimbabwe have signed 10 cooperation agreements covering energy, trade, and tourism, as both countries seek to boost low bilateral trade and attract investment
Source: Ghana, Zimbabwe sign 10 deals to boost trade and economic ties | Business Insider Africa
Ghana and Zimbabwe have moved to reset and deepen bilateral ties after signing 10 cooperation agreements during a state visit by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Accra, in a push to unlock trade and investment between the two countries.
- Ghana and Zimbabwe signed 10 cooperation agreements during President Mnangagwa’s visit to Accra.
- The deals cover sectors including energy, health, tourism, and trade.
- Despite strong political ties, trade between both countries remains very low.
- Leaders say the new agreements aim to boost investment, jobs, and economic growth.
The agreements, signed after talks with Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama at Peduase Lodge, span key sectors including energy, health, tourism, trade, sports, and diplomatic cooperation.
The visit, which began on April 1, signals renewed political will to translate long-standing historical ties into stronger economic outcomes.
The two sides also endorsed the agreed minutes of the inaugural session of the Ghana–Zimbabwe Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC), a mechanism designed to coordinate and monitor bilateral engagements.
Under the framework, meetings will be held every two years, supported by regular consultations between senior officials.
President Mahama said the visit reaffirmed the historical bond between both countries, rooted in their shared struggle for independence, but stressed the need to move beyond symbolism.
“We are therefore greatly encouraged by our renewed resolve to elevate the partnership between our two countries to a higher and more strategic level,” he said.
He added that discussions between both delegations were “comprehensive, forward-looking and highly productive,” covering a broad range of sectors including agriculture, mining, education, defence, and private sector development.
A key focus of the agreements is economic cooperation, with both countries seeking to boost trade flows, encourage targeted investments and increase private sector participation.
A business roundtable held alongside the visit is expected to help convert policy commitments into commercial partnerships.
Despite strong diplomatic ties, trade between Ghana and Zimbabwe remains low.
According to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity, Ghana exported goods worth about $378,000 to Zimbabwe in 2024, while Zimbabwe’s exports to Ghana stood at just under $9,000, highlighting the gap the new agreements aim to close.
The MoUs include cooperation in political and diplomatic consultations, training for foreign service officers, and partnerships in health, energy, tourism, sports and archives management.
They also cover trade promotion between ZimTrade and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, as well as collaboration on an African liberation heritage project.
An additional agreement was signed between private sector players, Zoomlion Ghana Limited and Geo Pomona Waste Management, targeting improved waste management solutions.
Zimbabwe’s foreign ministry said the agreements are expected to “stimulate sustainable economic growth, promote industrial development, and create mutual opportunities for businesses and citizens of Zimbabwe and Ghana.”
Beyond bilateral issues, both leaders discussed global developments, including rising geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and volatility in energy markets.
They reaffirmed their commitment to diplomacy, respect for sovereignty and adherence to international law.
President Mnangagwa also thanked Ghana for its continued support in calling for the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe, a longstanding issue in Harare’s foreign policy.
While the agreements provide a broad framework for cooperation, their success will depend on implementation. For both countries, the real test will be whether the renewed partnership can deliver measurable gains in trade, investment and jobs in the coming years.
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