Harare, (New Ziana) – The United Kingdom is committed to strengthening its bilateral relations with Zimbabwe and other African countries as it seeks to support prosperity and stability, an official has said.
UK Minister for Africa Lord Collins of Highbury said this after meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House.
Addressing the media after the closed-door meeting, Lord Collins said the United Kingdom is keen to strengthen relations with Zimbabwe across shared priorities.
“The UK Government is developing a new approach to the African continent with the long-term objective being supporting prosperity and stability. Our approach is to listen to the continent’s agenda for a win-win situation that helps to drive transformative growth,” he said.
Before meeting President Mnangagwa, Lord Collins had a breakfast meeting with British businesspeople based in Zimbabwe.
Acting Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Mangaliso Ndlovu said President Mnangagwa reiterated that Zimbabwe is open for business.
“It was a very good discussion. President Mnangagwa welcomed Lord Collins. He reassured him that Zimbabwe is open for business and that he is happy with the progress that the two countries are making in terms of improving their relations,” he said.
“Lord Collins has a busy schedule and will come back to Zimbabwe again in the near future. His desire is to see how British businesspeople can be supported to invest more and facilitate trade,” he added.
Lord Collins was also in the country this week to lead early celebrations of the 75th birthday of King Charles III, which falls on November 14 but the UK traditionally holds public celebrations during the warmer months due to weather concerns.
The annual event, which in London includes the ceremonial Trooping the Colour by the Horse Guards, was locally marked in Zimbabwe as part of a growing diplomatic thaw between Harare and London.
The visit by Lord Collins is seen as a significant improvement in bilateral relations following the formation of the government under President Mnangagwa, which adopted the policy of engagement and re-engagement.
Last month, the UK removed several Zimbabwean officials from its sanctions list, including former State Security Minister Owen Ncube, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, and Sports Minister Anselem Sanyatwe.
Also delisted was the Zimbabwe Defence Industries, marking a notable shift in British foreign policy toward Zimbabwe.
The move followed similar ones by the European Union and the United States to ease restrictions on the southern African nation.
New Ziana
