Zimbabwe and China have taken significant steps to deepen their longstanding bilateral relations through the signing of two new cooperation agreements aimed at revitalizing the country’s transport infrastructure and enhancing human capital development. The agreements, signed on April 14, in Harare, focuses on the maintenance of Victoria Falls International Airport and the development of technical skills within the aviation sector.
Building upon the successful 2016 upgrade of Victoria Falls International Airport by China Jiangsu International (CJI), the new agreements signify a deepening of economic engagement between the two nations. Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Joshua Sacco, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “The technical cooperation agreement will enable Zimbabwe to tap into China’s technical expertise and knowledge in the transport sector.”
Sacco noted the growing need for a skilled workforce as Zimbabwe expands its airports, highlighting that the cooperation provides an opportunity for capacity building in the aviation sector, aligning with the country’s broader national development objectives.
Under the new technical cooperation agreement, the Airports Company of Zimbabwe will collaborate with CJI to enhance the operational capacity of the nation’s airports through sustained technical maintenance and training programs. Ma Xin, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, led the Chinese delegation and commended Zimbabwe’s efforts to transition into a modern industrial economy. He affirmed Jiangsu’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development ambitions, stating that projects undertaken by CJI had already made a “positive socio-economic impact.”
The Victoria Falls International Airport, now capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft such as Boeing 777s and Airbus A340s, has seen improved passenger throughput and cargo handling since its upgrade. This enhancement has contributed to Zimbabwe’s broader efforts to revitalize its tourism and export sectors.
These new agreements reflect the broader geopolitical and economic trends of China’s increased footprint across Africa through the Belt and Road Initiative, a global development strategy focused on infrastructure investment. Zimbabwe continues to be a key beneficiary of this initiative, leveraging Chinese expertise to modernize its transport infrastructure and bolster economic growth.
The agreements are expected to yield substantial economic benefits, boost tourism, create jobs, and further enhance the China-Zimbabwe relationship, which dates back to the liberation era.
