Equatorial Guinea President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is expected in Harare today for a two-day State visit that is set to further strengthen the growing partnership between Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, with several bilateral agreements expected to be signed.
The visit comes barely a month after the successful inaugural session of the Zimbabwe-Equatorial Guinea Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC), which laid the groundwork for enhanced collaboration across a wide range of sectors.
President Mbasogo’s visit is expected to culminate in the signing of key agreements aimed at expanding economic cooperation, promoting skills development and unlocking new opportunities for investment and trade between the two countries.
Among the instruments expected to be signed are the Agreement on Economic and Trade Cooperation, an Agreement on the Training of Translators and Interpreters, as well as Memoranda of Understanding covering education, agriculture, mining and other strategic sectors.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Minister Professor Amon Murwira said the State visit reflects the strong and enduring relationship between the two nations and presents an opportunity to explore new areas of cooperation.
“We are expecting President Mbasogo for a two-day State visit and he is expected to arrive today,” said Professor Murwira.
“The purpose of the visit is to basically strengthen the relations between the two countries.
“We expect that there will be signing of instruments of cooperation between the two countries and also discuss various new potential areas of cooperation.
“He is also expected to visit some local places.”
The visit follows the inaugural JPCC session held in Harare in May, which focused on promoting regional and Pan-African integration, strengthening diplomatic relations and expanding bilateral economic cooperation.
Speaking during a recent post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the commission had provided a platform for the two countries to consolidate their long-standing friendship while creating new opportunities for collaboration.
The meeting resulted in commitments to accelerate economic cooperation, enhance political and diplomatic consultations and deepen collaboration in critical sectors such as trade, education, agriculture, wildlife management, fisheries, tourism and mining.
Both countries also agreed to work towards the rationalisation of visa fees as part of broader efforts to facilitate business, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
Relations between Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea have remained warm and cordial over the years, underpinned by mutual respect and shared aspirations for African development and regional integration.
One of the defining moments in the relationship came in 2004 when Zimbabwe played a significant role in thwarting an attempted coup against the Equatorial Guinean government by a group of mercenaries. The incident further strengthened trust and solidarity between the two nations.
The strong ties have continued to flourish under the leadership of President Mnangagwa and President Mbasogo. In December 2022, President Mnangagwa attended President Mbasogo’s inauguration ceremony in Malabo, becoming the only leader from an English-speaking African country invited to the event.
In 2023, President Mnangagwa undertook a three-day State visit to Equatorial Guinea, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding economic cooperation.
President Mbasogo’s latest visit is expected to build on those engagements and open a new chapter of cooperation, with both countries seeking to leverage their partnership to advance economic growth, trade, investment and regional integration.
As Zimbabwe continues to deepen relations with fellow African nations, the State visit is being viewed as another important step towards strengthening South-South cooperation and advancing the broader vision of a more integrated and prosperous Africa.
