President Emmerson Mnangagwa is optimistic that relations between Zimbabwe and the western bloc, particularly the UK government will soon improve and foster re-engagement.
Zimbabwe and the UK government’s relations took a turn during the botched land reform program which instigated human rights violations as well highly disputed elections that have thwarted democratic principles.
Speaking after his recent COP26 appearance in Glasgow, Scotland, Mnangagwa claimed that there is a chemistry developing between Zimbabwe and the UK.
“There is good chemistry that is developing between the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe, which was apparent in my chats with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Relations between the two countries are certainly set to improve,” he said.
The Zanu-PF led government has been blaming sanctions for the economic decay as trade between Harare and Western countries continued to sour.
UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Melanie Robinson, however, maintains that for any meaningful engagements to happen, the country must sort out its foreign currency issues as well as have investment-friendly policies.
She was speaking after Zimbabwe and other countries signed up for the Green Grids Initiative. Under the initiative, a transnational grid would allow countries to source solar power from regions where it is daytime to meet their green energy needs even when their own installed solar capacity is not generating energy.
“I’m excited developing countries can unlock green investment if they get their policy frameworks right.
Solar companies are ready to invest in Zimbabwe, under a new policy framework. Just need to sort out the foreign currency issues. (PS sanctions has nothing to do with this)”, she said.
Ambassador Robinson noted that enough investment in solar power generation in Zimbabwe could seek the country to actually export power to other countries.
“Imagine powering up your e-vehicle in South Africa or even further afield with solar power generated in Zimbabwe.
“But again, this will take important action to make it a reality, it will take a step change. Zimbabwe will need to improve the investment environment for mini-grids and off-grid systems and it will need to implement the new policy framework it has developed as well as solve foreign currency issues to unlock the millions of renewable energy investment dollars which are ready to come in,” she added.
