Harare, (New Ziana) –President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Wednesday the success of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between Zimbabwe and Botswana will be judged by tangible results rather than rhetoric, as he called for urgent implementation of key agreements that the two countries signed during the current session.
Closing the Fifth Session of the BNC in Harare, President Mnangagwa commended Botswana President Duma Boko and his delegation for fostering a spirit of solidarity, pragmatism and mutual respect that characterized the high-level engagements.
“The outcomes of this Session are both instructive and forward-looking,” he said, adding that the meeting had reaffirmed a shared commitment to transform long-standing political ties into a dynamic, results-driven economic partnership.
He said the agreements and Memoranda of Understanding signed during the session should now serve as practical tools to accelerate trade, boost investment flows and deepen industrial cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
“The task before us is clear. We must move with urgency from agreement to implementation,” he said.
To achieve this, President Mnangagwa outlined a set of priority areas requiring immediate attention by ministers and senior government officials, chief among them the expeditious operationalization of the Plumtree/Ramokgwebana One-Stop Border Post, which is expected to significantly improve the movement of goods and people through modern, integrated systems.
He also called for the swift finalization of outstanding legal frameworks, including the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, to create a more predictable and competitive investment environment.
President Mnangagwa further called the decisively removal of non-tariff barriers, particularly those affecting agricultural trade, in order to unlock the full potential of both economies, stressing that infrastructure development, especially railway connectivity and logistics corridors, should be fast-tracked to support regional value chains and industrialization.
In agriculture, he underscored the importance of strengthened cooperation in areas such as livestock disease control, agro-processing and food security, describing them as critical pillars for rural transformation and resilience.
“These priorities must be pursued with clear timelines, defined responsibilities and measurable outcomes,” he said, cautioning that the credibility of the BNC hinges on delivery, urging both countries to institutionalize a culture of implementation.
He called for commitments to strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems, enhance coordination across government departments, and establishing clear accountability frameworks to ensure agreed decisions translate into concrete outcomes.
President Mnangagwa also called for greater private sector involvement, urging businesses from both countries to take advantage of emerging opportunities in mining, energy, manufacturing, tourism and infrastructure development.
“Our business communities must be active partners in this process,” he said.
He noted that key areas identified for accelerated action include trade facilitation, infrastructure development, agriculture, health, tourism, education, and the free movement of goods and services, are central to improving livelihoods, boosting investor confidence and advancing regional integration.
“As we move forward, let us remain guided by our common vision of inclusive growth, prosperity and sustainable development,” he said.
President Mnangagwa expressed optimism that the partnership between the two countries will continue to deepen through impactful projects and concrete programs, with the next BNC session set to be hosted in Botswana.
New Ziana
