Fungi Kwaramba in SKOLKOVO, Russia
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has challenged Zimbabwean and Russian institutions to move swiftly from signing agreements to implementing tangible projects, saying the true test of the strengthened bilateral partnership lies in its impact on ordinary citizens and the two economies.
Speaking on the margins of the Third Russia–Africa Summit here yesterday, the President said the friendship between Harare and Moscow — forged in common struggles and strengthened by mutual respect — had now received political direction from the two Governments and it was up to institutions to give it practical expression.
Yesterday, Zimbabwe and Russia signed the Cooperation Agreement with the Autonomous Non Profit Organisation for the Development of International Cooperation (Eurasia).
The agreement was signed between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira and Petr Milkhallovich Fradko, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Non Profit Organisation.
The agreement was signed in the presence of President Mnangagwa.
Several Russian organisations also made their presentations, including PSB Bank, a financial institution that offers alternative international banking similar to that provided by Western international payment platforms.
“The two Governments have given this friendship political direction. It now falls to institutions such as yours, and your counterparts on the Zimbabwean side, to give practical expression to the vision of our national leaders,” President Mnangagwa said.
“Our collective efforts must benefit the economies of both our countries and have a tangible impact on the daily lives of our citizens.”
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Prof Amon Murwira exchanges documents with Mr Petr Milkhallovich Fradko in Skolkovo, Russia yesterday
The President said the instruments of cooperation signed at the meeting would support Government programmes to consolidate the current growth and transformation results, but insisted they must not remain on paper.
“I challenge all of us to ensure that these agreements move quickly from paper to practical projects and areas of impactful collaboration,” he said.
To drive implementation, President Mnangagwa proposed the establishment of a joint technical working group comprising PSB Bank of the Russian Federation and, on the Zimbabwean side, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development and Investment Promotion, and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
“It is critically important that, together, you identify priority projects, appropriate financing mechanisms and implementation timelines,” he said.
President Mnangagwa singled out PSB Bank for its potential contribution to Zimbabwe’s economic transformation, saying as a universal bank with broad domestic and international reach, it was well placed to support trade finance, lines of credit and investment in bankable projects within the country’s priority sectors.
“Zimbabwe particularly values the practical contribution that PSB Bank can make to our economic transformation,” he said.
President Mnangagwa and his delegation comprising Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya (second left), Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira (fifth left), Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Kudakwashe Tagwirei (fourth left), Ambassador to Russia Mr Grey Marongwe, and Attorney-General Virginia Mabiza poses with Mr Petr Milkhallovich Fradko (fourth from right) and his delegation in Skolkovo, Russia yesterday
The President said Zimbabwe would consider proposals on payment and settlement solutions on their merits through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and within the country’s regulatory framework, adding that Harare was following with interest BRICS discussions on interlinking national payment systems and stood ready to participate as those arrangements matured.
“Zimbabwe will also consider proposals on payment and settlement solutions on their merits, through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and within our regulatory framework,” he said.
“We follow with interest discussions within BRICS on the interlinking of national payment systems and stand ready to participate as these arrangements mature.”
Pitching brand Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa told the gathering that the economy had recorded growth of 8,3 percent, with agriculture growing at 27,9 percent in 2025.
Inflation had reached single digits since January 2026, while trade and exchange-rate stability pointed to a positive macroeconomic outlook.
“Zimbabwe is open for business. Our economy has recorded growth of 8.3 percent, with agriculture growing at 27.9 percent,” President Mnangagwa said.
“Inflation has reached single digits since January 2026, while trade and exchange-rate stability all point to a positive macroeconomic outlook.”
On human-capital development, he expressed gratitude for Russian scholarships, saying the empowerment of young people with advanced skills — particularly in the natural sciences, technology, medicine, nuclear science and space-related fields — was expanding the nation’s talent base and strengthening innovation, enterprise and inclusive development.
“Empowering young people with advanced skills especially in the natural sciences, technology, medicine, nuclear science and space-related fields, is expanding the nation’s talent base and strengthening innovation, enterprise and inclusive development,” President Mnangagwa said.
More than 1 000 Zimbabweans are currently studying at Russian universities, with a notable number having returned home to serve in various sectors.
Turning to the proposed cooperation instrument between the Human Rights Commissions of the two countries, the President assured the Russian side that Zimbabwe had no objection, and invited the Russian Human Rights Commission to visit Zimbabwe at the earliest opportunity so that the two bodies could finalise and directly sign the instrument.
“I wish to assure the Russian side that Zimbabwe has no objection to the instrument. We appreciate the spirit of dialogue, mutual respect and institutional cooperation that it seeks to promote,” he said.
“Zimbabwe accordingly invites the Russian Human Rights Commission to visit Zimbabwe at the earliest opportunity, so that the two Commissions may finalise and directly sign the instrument.”
In closing, President Mnangagwa thanked the institutions represented for their vision and commitment, adding that he looked forward to regular reports on progress in the matters committed to and the many others arising from the cooperation.
“Zimbabwe values its strategic partnership with the Russian Federation, and I look forward to receiving regular reports of progress on matters committed to today, and many others from our cooperation,” he said.
COMMENTS