Online Reporter
Professor Amon Murwira
UNDER the Second Republic, President Mnangagwa has prioritised advancing Zimbabwe’s national interests, guided by a clear vision for the future.
Central to this thrust is Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy.
This strategic intention is outlined in Chapter 2 of the Constitution, which states that the Government must establish a just, free and democratic society, where citizens lead prosperous, fulfilling lives.
So, Vision 2030 is an expression of this constitutional desire, serving as a road map for national development.
To realise Vision 2030, the Second Republic has adopted a multifaceted approach, balancing domestic development and foreign policy.
On the domestic front, the emphasis is on fostering local production and self-reliance.
Internationally, Zimbabwe has embraced economic diplomacy, a strategy designed to integrate the country into the global economy and attract international partnerships.
In pursuit of these goals, President Mnangagwa has articulated three foundational doctrines to guide this vision.
The first one is that a country is built by its own people.
This doctrine underscores the importance of self-reliance.
By prioritising local production, Zimbabwe aims to strengthen its domestic economy, create jobs and enhance its capacity to engage in global trade.
The second one is being a friend to all and an enemy to none.
This doctrine highlights Zimbabwe’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and collaboration with all nations.
It reflects the country’s desire to maintain friendly relations while avoiding adversarial stances.
Lastly, we have the Zimbabwe is Open for Business policy mantra.
This policy positions Zimbabwe as a welcoming destination for investment, showcasing its readiness to engage with the international community and foster economic partnerships.
He said Zimbabwe cannot develop as an island.
Business, both national and international, is needed in pursuing our goal of becoming an upper middle-income economy, where the people are happy, are prosperous and have fulfilling lives.
But this can only be achieved through economic development.
As a result, economic diplomacy has become a defining feature of Zimbabwe’s foreign policy.
This approach aligns with provisions of Section 12 of the Constitution, which outlines the objectives of Zimbabwe’s foreign policy.
These objectives include, first of all, protecting Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and interests.
Secondly, respecting international law and, thirdly, promoting peaceful coexistence with other nations and resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiation.
Additionally, Section 12, subsection 2, emphasises Zimbabwe’s obligation to integrate in the region through a Pan-Africanist ideology, and also working with regional and international organisations to promote economic, social and cultural cooperation.
This constitutional mandate drives Zimbabwe’s active participation in regional and global initiatives.
The organisations include the United Nations (UN), BRICS+, the G7+China, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
That is why we are part of SADC; we are constitutionally mandated to integrate with our regional peers.
So, our first port of integration is with the SADC region.
By providence, we have President Mnangagwa chairing the regional bloc. Our attitude, disposition and posture towards SADC is that of deep integration.
Even when you look at our subscriptions to SADC, they are up to date. This shows that we take our membership of SADC very seriously.
Beyond SADC, Zimbabwe has solidified its position within the African Union (AU).
We are also a member of the AU’s Peace and Security Council and have ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, signalling our commitment to enhancing intra-African trade and economic collaboration.
You can also see our desire to enhance integration from our posture towards COMESA and our overtures towards rejoining the Commonwealth.
The country is also advancing its candidacy for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term, reinforcing its commitment to global peace and security.
Zimbabwe’s hosting of high-profile international events, such as the UN Gastronomy Forum — the first of its kind in Africa — underscores its growing diplomatic stature and proactive engagement on the global stage.
The Second Republic has also made strides in multilateral cooperation, particularly through its application to join the BRICS Bank, aligning Zimbabwe with emerging global economic powerhouses.
Additionally, Zimbabwe will host the upcoming Nordic-Africa Foreign Ministers Meeting in Victoria Falls, further enhancing its international profile.
These efforts are complemented by the country’s participation in organisations such as the Non-Aligned Movement and progressive alliances like the G7+China.
You can see that Zimbabwe’s disposition towards the international community is that of attracting economic integration, which, of course, results in our people having prosperous and fulfilling lives.
And the results are there for everyone to see.
President Mnangagwa’s policies have yielded tangible results.
Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product (GDP) has grown significantly under his leadership, rising from approximately US$16 billion at the start of the Second Republic to over US$50 billion today.
This growth is a testament to the effectiveness of policies such as Zimbabwe is Open for Business, and the engagement and re-engagement agenda, which have attracted investment, enhanced trade and fostered economic partnerships.
Looking ahead, the Second Republic remains steadfast in advancing Zimbabwe’s national interests.
Future initiatives include continued integration into global economic frameworks, such as participation in the Osaka Expo, and efforts to strengthen ties with intergovernmental organisations.
At the core of these efforts is the doctrine of leaving no one and no place behind, ensuring inclusive development, both domestically and internationally.
Under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, Zimbabwe’s foreign policy has evolved into a dynamic strategy that prioritises economic diplomacy.
Guided by constitutional principles and visionary doctrines, Zimbabwe has made significant strides in regional integration, global engagement and economic
growth.
The Second Republic remains committed to building a just, prosperous and peaceful nation that actively contributes to the global community.
Prof Amon Murwira is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He was speaking to The Sunday Mail’s Debra Matabvu.
daniel chigunwe
