President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for stronger economic cooperation between South Africa and Zimbabwe, with a particular focus on balancing trade, expanding infrastructure investment and turning the two countries’ abundant natural resources into jobs and greater prosperity.
Addressing the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Pretoria on Friday, President Ramaphosa said the two countries must use existing bilateral mechanisms and opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to increase trade and address the significant imbalance between the neighbours.
“Zimbabwe is one of our largest trading partners. Over the last four years, the value of our bilateral trade has almost doubled.
“However, there is a significant imbalance in trade between our two countries. South Africa exports much more to Zimbabwe than it imports,” the President said.
He said the two countries should work together to narrow the trade deficit and expand the production and export of goods manufactured from their natural resources.
“We must use the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area to increase the volume and balance the composition of trade between our two countries,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President said the Ministerial report before the BNC would assess progress and identify further opportunities in mining, energy, agriculture, transport, logistics and water management.
He also emphasised the importance of infrastructure investment in supporting economic growth and expanding trade between the two countries.
“We should be working together to build the bridges, roads, dams, airports, health facilities and schools that will drive our economies into the future,” he said.
President Ramaphosa said institutions such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the Industrial Development Corporation were ready to invest in high-impact projects in Zimbabwe.
“These are projects that connect factories and farms to markets. Projects that connect power stations to businesses and homes. That connect dams to taps. That connect countries to their neighbours,” he said.
Mineral beneficiation and energy cooperation
The President said South Africa and Zimbabwe should deepen cooperation in mining and ensure that their mineral wealth contributes more directly to economic development and job creation.
“Working together, we must convert our abundant mineral resources into jobs, opportunity and prosperity for our people,” he said.
He noted Zimbabwe’s growing production of gold, platinum and critical minerals such as lithium, saying the country was “fast emerging as a global participant”.
President Ramaphosa said South Africa was also increasing investment in exploration and beneficiation.
“We have said for many years that our minerals should be processed at home, that we should export finished products. Together, we need to put that aspiration into practice,” he said.
The President also called for closer cooperation in energy, highlighting the potential of the Southern African Power Pool to support the development of clean, affordable and reliable energy across the region.
Water and food security
President Ramaphosa said there was significant potential for cooperation on water, pointing to the agreement to supply water from Zimbabwe’s Beitbridge Water Works to Musina as an example of how the two countries can work together to meet basic needs and strengthen resilience to climate change.
He also urged greater cooperation on food security and agricultural production.
“We must work together to ensure that all our people have enough food. Let us use our vast arable land for intensified production and support our communal and commercial farmers,” he said.
President Ramaphosa said agricultural cooperation was particularly important as the region contends with accelerating climate change and droughts that are putting pressure on water sources and grazing land.
Strengthening border management and security
The President also called for closer cooperation on migration, border management and the fight against trans-border crime.
“As neighbours that have so much to offer each other, it is critical that we continue our cooperation on migration and border management. To ease the movement of people and goods, we must modernise our facilities and systems,” he said.
He said the two countries must also strengthen their joint efforts to combat trans-border crime.
Beyond bilateral matters, President Ramaphosa said peace and stability remained essential for development in Southern Africa and the continent.
He expressed concern over ongoing conflict and instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cabo Delgado in Mozambique and Madagascar, while also highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, instability in South Sudan and armed insurgency in the Sahel.
“In a geopolitical environment that has become unpredictable and fractured, there is now even a greater need for the peaceful resolution of conflict, mediation and dialogue,” he said.
President Ramaphosa congratulated Zimbabwe on its election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.
He said South Africa expected Zimbabwe to use its position to focus international attention on conflicts that are holding back Africa’s development and to support African-led efforts to resolve them.
Historic ties
At the opening of the BNC, President Ramaphosa also reflected on the deep historical ties between the two countries.
“We are one people. Our spirits are inseparable. Our past has been shaped by shared culture, history and language. Our future will be shaped by shared aspirations,” he said.
He recalled Zimbabwe’s support for South Africa during the struggle against colonialism, white minority rule and apartheid.
“As South Africa, we will forever remember that the people of Zimbabwe gave us shelter, protection and support in the darkest times of our struggle,” the President said.
Lake Kariba tragedy
The remarks came as the two countries mourned the loss of life in the Lake Kariba ferry tragedy.
President Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the people of Zimbabwe and the bereaved families following the tragedy, which claimed close to 100 lives.
Reviewing progress
The Fourth Session of the BNC provides an opportunity for the two Heads of State to review progress in implementing existing bilateral commitments and identify opportunities to further strengthen cooperation.
Established in April 2015, the BNC is the central mechanism for managing and advancing the strategic partnership between South Africa and Zimbabwe. More than 33 agreements and memoranda of understanding have been concluded between the two countries across various areas of cooperation.
The session culminated in the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in strategic areas.
President Ramaphosa said the people of both countries expected the BNC to deliver tangible outcomes.
“Our people expect that this Bi-National Commission will deliver concrete results. South Africa and Zimbabwe stand together. We are two countries with a common history and a common destiny,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
