Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation with Russia and advancing Africa’s development agenda at the Second Russia–Africa Ministerial Partnership Forum held in Cairo, Egypt yesterday.
Addressing the high-level forum, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira said Zimbabwe’s engagement with Russia and Africa was anchored on Pan-Africanism, human dignity and economic transformation.
“Zimbabwe is honoured to participate in this forum, which is more than a continuation of dialogue, but a renewal of a historic struggle founded on shared convictions between Africa and Russia,” he said.
Professor Murwira expressed appreciation to the forum’s co-chairs, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, as well as the governments of Russia and Egypt, for convening the meeting.
He described Egypt and Russia as central to the advancement of Pan-Africanism, which he said was key to protecting African dignity.
“Egypt and Russia are core countries in the advancement of Pan-Africanism, a keystone philosophy that protects the dignity of Africans and humanity at large.
The friendship between Russia and Africa was not forged out of convenience, but out of principle, solidarity and shared conviction,” he added.
Professor Murwira recalled Russia’s historical support during Africa’s liberation struggles, noting that such support went beyond rhetoric.
“Russia provided not only moral backing but also knowledge and resources that helped lay the foundations of African sovereignty and self-determination,” he said.
Turning to development cooperation, the minister challenged African states and Russia to convert political solidarity into tangible economic benefits.
“Enduring political solidarity must now be transformed into concrete economic empowerment for our peoples,” he stated.
He said Zimbabwe’s development path, guided by Pan-Africanism, prioritizes cooperation in knowledge, science, infrastructure connectivity, industrialisation and international legal and financial reforms.
Under the leadership of President Mnangagwa Zimbabwe is implementing Vision 2030, which places emphasis on production-led growth.
“We assess partnerships by their ability to deliver industries that create jobs, technologies that empower communities and education systems that liberate citizens,” Professor Murwira said.
Concluding his address, Professor Murwira said, “the Russia- Africa partnership must be measured by completed projects, jobs created, technologies transferred and lives improved.”
