The time has come for Africa to take control of its economic destiny and break free from external dependencies, Vice President Kembo Mohadi said as he officially opened the Connect Africa Symposium on 24 April 2025.

The Connect Africa Symposium is being held alongside the 65th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair under the theme: “Industrialisation and Economic Integration: Strengthening Africa’s Resilience.”

Mohadi warned, “For far too long, Africa’s economic narrative has been shaped by external dependencies, commodity export vulnerabilities, and structural trade imbalances. This cycle must end.” He argued that reliance on raw material exports leaves economies exposed to price swings and denies them the sustained benefits of local value creation.

The Vice President said, “Industrialising Africa is not merely a process of expanding manufacturing. It is the engine through which economies diversify, innovate, increase resilience, and achieve sustainable growth. We must move from resource supplier to industrial powerhouse by prioritising sectors in which we hold a comparative advantage, agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, digital services, and renewable energy.”

To illustrate the power of targeted support, Mohadi cited Ethiopia’s textile sector. He said, “Ethiopia’s textile industry has created more than 200,000 direct jobs under preferential market access arrangements. This demonstrates how focused investment in manufacturing can generate large-scale employment and drive wider economic benefits.”

He also pointed to Rwanda’s Kigali Innovation City, a 61-hectare, US$2 billion project hosting universities, technology incubators, and corporate offices as proof that digital economy investments can redefine a nation’s global competitiveness.

Africa Continental Free Trade Area as a Catalyst

On regional integration, Mohadi described the African Continental Free Trade Area as a declaration of unity and a catalyst for continental growth. 

He urged member states, “Remove tariffs, harmonise customs regulations and fast track development of logistics corridors. Our intra African trade still accounts for less than 20 per cent of total exports, compared with over 60 per cent in Europe and Asia. Let us tear down the barriers that prevent our markets from scaling and resisting global shocks.”

Investing in People and Partnerships

“The strength of Africa lies in its people,” Mohadi continued, emphasising the continent’s demographic dividend. He added, “By investing in quality education, vocational training and technology, we empower our youth and women to drive industrial and economic advancement. Our Vision 2030 goal of achieving upper middle income status depends on inclusive policies that leave no one behind.”

Diplomacy as a Foundation for Trade and Conflict Resolution

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amon Murwira told delegates that diplomacy must underpin efforts to unlock regional trade and resolve disputes peacefully, thereby fuelling the continent’s industrialisation drive. Turning to the role of diplomacy, Minister Murwira said, “Diplomacy is pursued for purposes of good relations that foster elevated trade relations. It is the careful management of international relations with tact and sensitivity, aimed at achieving our continental economic goals while resolving conflicts and disputes.”

Murwira noted that Africa remains more connected to external markets than to itself. He said, “Over 50 per cent of our imports and exports are tied to economies outside Africa. To reverse this scenario, the African Continental Free Trade Area is our best pathway to reduce dependence on unfavourable global markets and enhance resilience through intra Africa trade.”

He added, “Connected by trade is the way to unlock opportunities for goods and services, ultimately leading to a more productive and prosperous future. A connected Africa is therefore a productive and trading Africa.” 

To illustrate Zimbabwe’s own regional engagement, he displayed a trade flow map showing strong links with South Africa, Mozambique, the UAE and China, while highlighting low volumes with many fellow African nations.

Reorienting Zimbabwe’s Diplomatic Missions

Murwira stressed that Zimbabwe’s foreign policy projects its domestic agenda of sovereign prosperity.  Referencing Chapter 2, Section 8 of the Constitution, he said, “Our prosperity depends on our capability to produce industrial products and trade.”

Under the maxim friends to all, enemies to none, Zimbabwe’s diplomatic missions have been re-mandated to serve as enablers of industrial partnerships, hubs for skills exchange and incubators of entrepreneurial collaboration, linking small and medium enterprises to international markets.

Heritage Driven Industrialisation

“Our heritage, our minerals, biodiversity, climate and cultures must form the foundation of our industrial strategy,” Murwira argued. “Heritage based local production shall underpin our trade relations and secure us a competitive edge in global markets. Opportunities abound in tourism, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, timber and furniture manufacturing.”

From Dialogue to Action

Murwira urged delegates to view ZITF not merely as a marketplace but as an instrument of economic diplomacy that offers a platform to showcase our capabilities, attract capital, deepen bilateral and multilateral ties and reinforce international cooperation. Together with Mohadi’s call for industrialisation, his address set the tone for the next two days of panel discussions and networking, aimed at translating bold ambitions into partnerships and investments for a resilient and prosperous Africa.