Zimbabwe is strengthening its engagement with the global economy as Vice President General (Rtd) Dr Constantino Chiwenga prepares to lead a delegation to the G20 Leaders’ Summit set for Johannesburg, South Africa. His participation underscores the country’s growing diplomatic footprint and signals renewed international confidence in Zimbabwe’s economic reforms and development trajectory.
Speaking to the media yesterday ahead of the summit, Charge d’Affaires at the Zimbabwe Embassy in South Africa, Mr Shephard Gwenzi, confirmed that Vice President Chiwenga will attend the high-level gathering on behalf of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The summit, scheduled for November 22–23 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, is expected to attract global leaders, policymakers, and senior government officials from the world’s major economies.
Mr Gwenzi noted that President Cyril Ramaphosa extended an official invitation to President Mnangagwa, reflecting South Africa’s support for Zimbabwe’s reintegration into global economic discussions and multilateral platforms. Due to prior commitments, President Mnangagwa assigned Vice President Chiwenga to represent him at the important event.
“The Honourable Vice President is expected to arrive on Thursday and will be here until November 23. Besides attending the G20 meeting, he is scheduled to meet with his counterpart, the Honourable Vice President Paul Mashatile of the Republic of South Africa, at a date to be advised,” said Mr Gwenzi.
He added that the bilateral meeting between the two Vice Presidents will focus on strengthening cooperation between Zimbabwe and South Africa, particularly in trade, migration, energy, transport systems, and investment. These discussions are expected to reinforce the strong historical and economic ties between the two nations.
Mr Gwenzi further highlighted that Zimbabwe’s presence at the G20 Summit reflects growing global confidence in the country’s economic reforms under the Second Republic. Improved ease of doing business, infrastructure rehabilitation, and engagement-and-re-engagement efforts have positioned Zimbabwe as a more competitive and attractive player in the international marketplace.
As Vice President Chiwenga joins global leaders in Johannesburg, the summit offers Zimbabwe an important platform to articulate its development agenda, seek investment partnerships, and participate in shaping global economic policies that have far-reaching impacts on emerging economies.
