President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s visit to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, marks an important step in strengthening Zimbabwe’s international engagement in support of National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030. The visit reflects Zimbabwe’s proactive approach to diplomacy as a tool for national development. The president will be in the Middle East from 2 – 6 February, 2026.

Enhancing Zimbabwe’s Global Standing

Through high-level engagements with international leaders and institutions, the visit will enhance Zimbabwe’s visibility and participation in global discussions on governance, economic transformation, and sustainable development. Such platforms allow Zimbabwe to share its development priorities while learning from international best practices.

Supporting NDS2 Implementation

NDS2 serves as the Government of Zimbabwe’s five-year roadmap towards achieving Vision 2030. One of its key priorities is strengthening international relations to mobilise investment, technical cooperation, and development financing.

The Dubai visit contributes to this objective by:

· Strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnerships

· Supporting infrastructure and industrial development initiatives

· Promoting innovation, technology adoption, and skills development

· Facilitating collaboration with global institutions and the private sector

These outcomes directly support effective NDS2 implementation.

Advancing Vision 2030

Vision 2030 outlines Zimbabwe’s aspiration to become a prosperous, inclusive, and empowered upper-middle-income society. Achieving this vision requires strong international cooperation, resource mobilisation, and policy alignment.

Engagements in Dubai support Vision 2030 by:

· Expanding access to international markets and financing

· Strengthening institutional capacity through cooperation and knowledge exchange

· Supporting economic transformation and service delivery improvements

Strengthening UAE–Zimbabwe Cooperation

The visit also builds on existing relations between Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates, particularly in trade, investment, and public sector modernisation. Dubai’s role as a global commercial and logistics hub presents opportunities for Zimbabwe to enhance its regional and international connectivity.

Conclusion

President Mnangagwa’s visit to Dubai is a strategic diplomatic engagement that reinforces Zimbabwe’s development priorities. By aligning international outreach with NDS2 and Vision 2030, the visit contributes to building partnerships that support economic growth, institutional strengthening, and improved livelihoods for Zimbabweans.