President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressing the CEO Africa Annual Roundtable(Photo credit @InfoMinZw)
By George Swarei
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has addressed the 10th edition of the CEO Africa Annual Roundtable at the Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls.
His speech centered on the theme “The Future of Africa: Modernise, Reshape and Grow,” aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 aspirations for a prosperous and innovative continent.
Welcoming delegates from across the region and beyond, President Mnangagwa highlighted the importance of public-private engagement in setting the developmental discourse for Africa. He praised the confidence shown by the business community in Zimbabwe’s trade and investment climate, affirming the nation’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for economic growth.
“The Roundtable offers a platform for networking, expert insights, and policy recommendations to further improve the business environment,” said President Mnangagwa.
He emphasized the crucial role of innovation and information communication technology (ICT) as enablers for modernizing Africa’s economic landscape. Added the Fourth Industrial Revolution is poised to transform production, management, and governance systems globally.
He urged businesses and state-owned enterprises to adapt quickly to the evolving global market place through modernisation initiatives, which promise higher productivity, efficiency, and innovation.
President Mnangangwa called on local authorities to adopt technologies for resource planning and project management to develop smart cities.
Addressing the financial sector, he stressed the need for innovation to foster financial inclusion and confidence, encouraging savings and facilitating loans to productive sectors. He assured that his government continues to improve the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe, urging investment across key sectors like commerce, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and tourism.
The president underscored the Second Republic’s priority on infrastructure development, including roads and power plants, and highlighted investment opportunities in renewable energy. He advocated for leveraging Zimbabwe’s strategic geographic location to enhance cross-border trade and regional integration.
Furthermore, he encouraged business leaders to capitalize on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which offers vast market potential and the opportunity to develop regional value chains.
President Mnangagwa urged a vision of sustainable growth that balances profit with purpose, mindful of climate change impacts. Despite challenges like the El-Nino-induced drought, he projected a positive economic growth trajectory for Zimbabwe with a GDP growth forecast of 4.8% in 2024.
“Let us modernize our economies, reshape our societies, and foster inclusive growth. Together, we can build a brighter future for Africa,” he said.
