President Mnangagwa To Hold Talks With Putin, Court Russian Investors

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and engage business leaders as Zimbabwe seeks to deepen economic cooperation and attract investment from the Russian Federation.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira said the discussions would focus on strengthening relations between the two countries, with particular emphasis on trade, investment and broader economic cooperation.

President Mnangagwa is in Russia to attend the Third Russia-Africa Summit, which is being held alongside the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum. The bilateral meeting with Putin is scheduled for Thursday on the sidelines of the summit.

The visit comes shortly after Mnangagwa assumed the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), placing him in a position to advance the interests of the regional bloc in international engagements.

COMESA comprises 21 member states, with a combined population of about 650 million people and an estimated gross domestic product of between US$1.13 trillion and US$1.23 trillion.

Prof Murwira said the President’s participation in the summit presented an opportunity to strengthen Zimbabwe’s international partnerships while ensuring that African countries benefit from global economic engagement.

He said Mnangagwa was committed to promoting a fair international trading system in which countries cooperate and depend on one another through mutually beneficial trade.

The minister added that the President would participate in the summit in his capacity as COMESA chairperson before holding bilateral discussions with Putin.

The talks are expected to explore cooperation in several areas, particularly trade and investment, as both countries seek to expand their economic ties.

Beyond the high-level political meetings, Mnangagwa is also scheduled to meet Russian businesspeople as part of Zimbabwe’s economic diplomacy efforts.

Prof Murwira said the engagements were intended to create opportunities for businesses from both countries to establish partnerships and explore areas of common interest.

Zimbabwe and Russia have already taken steps to strengthen commercial relations through a Memorandum of Understanding between ZimTrade and Russia’s Roscongress Foundation.

The agreement is intended to provide a platform for Zimbabwean and Russian businesses to interact, develop partnerships and facilitate trade between the two countries.

As part of his programme, Mnangagwa is also expected to meet Zimbabweans living and studying in Russia.

Prof Murwira said the President would meet at least 60 Zimbabwean students on Tuesday evening under the country’s educational and scientific cooperation programme with Russia.

The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss the students’ welfare and reinforce the existing relationship between Zimbabwe and Russia in education and scientific development.

The President is also scheduled to attend the Third Russia-Africa Summit, which will be co-chaired by Putin and African Union chairperson Évariste Ndayishimiye, who is also Burundi’s President.

The summit seeks to strengthen cooperation between Russia and African countries across various sectors, including politics, security, trade, investment, science, technology and cultural exchange.

It is also intended to promote a mutually beneficial partnership capable of addressing the economic and developmental priorities of both Russia and African nations.

Mnangagwa is accompanied by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications George Charamba, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Attorney-General Virginia Mabhiza and Presidential Adviser on Waste Management and Environmental Sustainability Dr Dilesh Nguwaya, among other senior Government officials.