Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, has called for a shift towards people-centred economic cooperation between Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Giving his remarks, yesterday, during the Ministerial segment of the 5th Session of the Zimbabwe–Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC), Prof. Murwira emphasised that bilateral cooperation should be anchored on tangible benefits for ordinary citizens rather than abstract policy frameworks.
“We must ensure that our cooperation is people-centred. Our policies must speak to the livelihoods of our citizens and not create what I call policy-induced poverty.
The success of the BNC must ultimately be measured by how it transforms the lives of people in both countries,” he added.
According to Prof. Murwira, both countries have the responsibility to ensure that agreements reached under the BNC translate into jobs, income generation, and improved standards of living.
“Our engagement must not be for its own sake. It must be purposeful and directed at uplifting our people. We should be able to point to clear benefits that come from our cooperation.
“While Zimbabwe and Botswana have maintained strong diplomatic relations over the years, the focus should now shift towards deepening economic collaboration that delivers practical outcomes,” he added.
Prof. Murwira further highlighted the importance of aligning policies to remove barriers that hinder trade and investment between the two nations.
He noted that bureaucratic inefficiencies and misaligned regulations can undermine the very objectives of regional cooperation.
“We must avoid creating obstacles through our own policies. Instead, we should facilitate ease of doing business and create an enabling environment for growth,” he added.
Zimbabwe and Botswana share longstanding diplomatic and economic ties, with the Bi-National Commission serving as a key platform for advancing bilateral cooperation.
The BNC focuses on enhancing trade, investment, and socio-economic development between the two neighbouring countries, in line with regional integration goals under the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Murwira urges people-centred Zimbabwe–Botswana cooperation
