Source: Zimbabwe elevates foreign policy to front line of economic strategy – herald
Gibson Mhaka
ZIMBABWE has elevated its foreign policy to the front line of economic strategy using diplomatic engagement anchored on peace, trade and cooperation to attract new investment and accelerate industrial growth, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, has said.
Since assuming office in late 2017, President Mnangagwa has made significant strides in re-engaging the international community and promoting economic development in Zimbabwe.
His engagement and re-engagement efforts have yielded impressive results, positioning the country for sustainable growth and prosperity.
The engagement and re-engagement agenda had clear outcomes from the start: to chart new relationships, rebuild broken ones and consolidate subsisting ones.
Within the space of a few years, the fruits are tangible.
The thrust of the engagement and re-engagement agenda is to forge relationships that would bring the much-needed foreign direct investment, mobilise the diaspora and develop both commercial and political ties which help increase the country’s foreign trade.
President Mnangagwa has consistently articulated Zimbabwe’s foreign policy of being a “friend to all and an enemy to none”, emphasising Zimbabwe’s commitment to re-engagement, international cooperation, and economic diplomacy.
Delivering a keynote address at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Diplomats Forum 2026, held in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on the sidelines of the just-ended ZITF, Prof Murwira said Zimbabwe’s international engagement is guided by constitutional principles that prioritise peace, production and trade.
He said the country’s “a friend to all and an enemy to none” mantra is a lived reality derived from the supreme law of the land.
Prof Murwira said Zimbabwe’s foreign policy is designed to create a conducive environment for “connected economies” by prioritising diplomacy over belligerence.
“If a country is an economy and a society, it must first be peaceful. Secondly, it must be productive. Thirdly, it must trade peacefully with others. That is the foundation of a prosperous nation,” he said.
He said Zimbabwe’s foreign policy is rooted in the Constitution, which mandates peaceful coexistence, respect for international law and the resolution of disputes through dialogue.
“Our policy is very clear — we are a friend to all and an enemy to none. That is not a slogan; it is a constitutional position. We do not pursue conflict; we pursue cooperation,” said Prof Murwira.
He emphasised that peace is the bedrock upon which economic activity is built, adding that Zimbabwe’s “Open for Business” mantra is underpinned by a deliberate non-adversarial approach to international relations.
“You cannot have connected economies with closed doors. There must be openness, there must be a handshake. Trade is the basis for peace — if you do not trade, the alternative is conflict, and we reject that,” he said.
Prof Murwira said Zimbabwe is actively working to remove trade barriers within the region as part of efforts to deepen economic integration and unlock industrial growth.
“Every diplomatic effort we are making, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area, is meant to remove both tariff and non-tariff barriers. We are saying let us trade, let us produce and let us prosper together,” he said.
He noted that Zimbabwe is repositioning itself from a primary commodity exporter to a competitive, value-adding industrial economy.
“We can no longer export raw materials in their basic form. We are promoting beneficiation and value addition so that our industries become globally competitive and contribute meaningfully to economic growth,” he said.
Prof Murwira said the country’s foreign policy also prioritises the exchange of knowledge, culture and innovation, as well as the promotion of tourism and the protection of Zimbabwean citizens abroad.
“These pillars are all built on peace. We are not interested in the drums of war. When there is conflict, we encourage dialogue because war is not a game; it is destructive and must be avoided at all costs,” he said.
He added that Zimbabwe’s engagement with the international community is guided by principles of sovereignty, mutual respect and shared prosperity.
“We are moving away from relationships based on dependency. The future is about partnerships, what you offer us, what we can offer you, and what we can achieve together,” said Prof Murwira.
He explained that the country’s participation in regional and global bodies such as Sadc, Comesa and the African Continental Free Trade Area reflects its commitment to fostering connected economies and competitive industries.
“The theme of this year’s ZITF, ‘Connected Economies, Competitive Industries,’ resonates deeply with our constitutional values. There can be no competitiveness without stability, and no connectivity without peace,” he said.
Prof Murwira said Zimbabwe’s foreign policy seeks to create a predictable and stable international posture that supports long-term development.
“Peace is not weakness; it is the centre of human progress. Our goal is to ensure a tranquil environment that allows our people to produce, trade and live fulfilling lives,” he said.
Zimbabwe remains committed to diplomacy as the primary tool for resolving global challenges.
Added Prof Murwira: “We believe in the supremacy of diplomacy and in building a world anchored on justice and peace.
“That is the signal Zimbabwe is sending to the international community, a clear, consistent and principled approach to engagement.”
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