How Zimbabwe and Belarus Are Building an Industrial Future

Zimbabwe and Belarus have reaffirmed their deepening alliance, with both nations committing to fast-tracking economic cooperation and accelerating industrial transformation.

Speaking at the Mid-Term Review of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC), Zimbabwe’s Chief Director of Political Affairs, Mr. Pearson T. Chigiji, announced that Zimbabwe is set to become Belarus’ industrial manufacturing hub for Southern Africa, a milestone designed to boost trade, attract investment, and reinforce economic resilience against persistent global sanctions.

“It is imperative that what we agree upon today is not only captured in written agreements, but implemented on the ground,” said Chigiji. “Failure to do so would render our deliberations unproductive and void.”

By Ruvarashe Gora

That vision is already taking shape. What began as diplomatic cooperation is evolving into strategic industrial action, such as tractor and bus assembly plants, lithium beneficiation projects, and AI-driven enterprises are now firmly on the horizon, with some expected to begin operations before the end of the year.

This momentum traces back to the historic state visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Zimbabwe in early 2023, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa. That groundbreaking visit set the tone for a dynamic partnership under the JPCC framework, which now drives real progress in trade, technology, agriculture, and manufacturing.

At the centre of the alliance is a personal rapport between the two heads of state, President Mnangagwa and President Lukashenko described as “brotherly.” That closeness has allowed agreements to move swiftly from discussion tables to implementation stages.

For Zimbabwe, the partnership is not just about business; it’s about charting a sovereign economic path. Faced with long-standing Western sanctions that have restricted access to international capital and technology, Zimbabwe is turning east, forging new alliances rooted in mutual respect and shared ambitions.

“We stand together in denouncing illegal and unjustified sanctions,” Chigiji said. “These measures do not detain us, but rather strengthen our resolve.”

Zimbabwe is preparing for President Mnangagwa’s reciprocal state visit to Belarus in May. A key highlight of the trip will be the Zimbabwe-Belarus Business Forum, a platform aimed at expanding investment in critical sectors like renewable energy, smart manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.