President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa made a state visit to Belarus May 11-15, in which he had crucial-level discussions with President Aleksandr Lukashenko and signed several agreements to enhance cooperation between the two nations, according to the Zimbabwe Mail.
The agreements included development in the areas of agriculture, mining and manufacturing, health, water purification and waste management. Healthcare in particular is being put on a fast track, while most of the other agreements are aimed at implementation during 2026-2030.
“Among the most significant outcomes is the agreement for the construction of a new facility at Parirenyatwa Hospital and the provision of affordable medicines. The initiative is expected to bolster Zimbabwe’s public healthcare system and improve access to essential medical services,” the Zimbabwe Mail reported.
Belarus has become a key partner of Zimbabwe, especially in the areas of agriculture and mining.
“Since 2019, the country has received over 2,000 high-tech tractors, 80 combine harvesters and other farming machinery under the Belarus Farm Mechanization Facility. This support has significantly boosted agricultural productivity, with the country recently acquiring an additional 800 units of farm equipment to be delivered this year,” reported Harare’s The Herald.
“Speaking during a tour of a local fabric manufacturing company in Belarus, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe stands to benefit from Belarus’ advanced textile industry.”
She noted that the government-owned factory can process the raw material of high-quality cotton from the product to the finished garment, and emphasized that industry must shift from exporting raw materials to producing finished goods for internal consumption.
Zimbabwe also has abundant mineral resources—large platinum and palladium reserves, and significant lithium reserves; Mnangagwa also offered mineral exploration deals to Belarus. Opposition figures in Zimbabwe, such as Citizens Coalition for Change Member of Parliament, Edwin Mushoriwa, have raised concerns that there need to be further discussion and protections of investments put into place, according to online newspaper New Zimbabwe on May 16.
