Zimbabwe and the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper cooperation following a courtesy call by AUDA-NEPAD Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Nardos Bekele-Thomas, on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira.

Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in key development programmes, including major infrastructure projects, technology-driven agricultural transformation, and the genome initiative, identified as a flagship continental programme.

Talks also covered skills development, youth empowerment under the Energise Africa agenda, and enhanced energy cooperation.

Energy-related discussions highlighted the Continental Power Systems Master Plan, strengthening regional power pools, the establishment of regional electricity markets, and the operationalisation of the African Single Electricity Market.

The meeting agreed on three priority areas: Zimbabwe’s support for the African Union development fund to implement Agenda 2063’s Second Ten-Year Plan; the establishment of an AUDA-NEPAD knowledge centre in Harare; and Zimbabwe’s voluntary contributions toward strengthening AUDA-NEPAD as an institution.

Mrs Bekele-Thomas said the Harare knowledge centre will facilitate the exchange of best practices across Africa, supporting the collective implementation of Agenda 2063.

She also underscored Zimbabwe’s strategic importance in advancing Africa’s development agenda and expressed optimism about deepening cooperation going forward.

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, AUDA-NEPAD’s mandate includes coordinating and implementing priority continental projects, strengthening the capacity of African Union Member States, mobilising resources, and providing knowledge-based advisory support to advance national and continental development priorities.