HARARE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sought to position Zimbabwe as a gateway for Russian investment into southern and eastern Africa following the country’s assumption of the COMESA chairmanship.

Cabinet said on Tuesday that Mnangagwa used the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow to promote Zimbabwe as a regional production and trade hub linking investors to markets under COMESA, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Zimbabwe assumed the one-year chairmanship of the COMESA Authority at the bloc’s 25th Summit of Heads of State and Government, held on October 22.

Zambia was elected vice-chair, while Kenya assumed the role of rapporteur.

During the Russia-Africa Summit, Mnangagwa held high-level engagements with Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders of African regional organisations.

He also met representatives of Russian institutions, including PSB Bank, as part of efforts to deepen economic cooperation.

Cabinet said the President emphasised the need for partnerships that would link Africa’s resources and markets with Russia’s industrial and technological expertise.

Mnangagwa also participated in the summit’s Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which featured industrial and scientific exhibitions.

The government said Zimbabwe’s COMESA leadership would strengthen the country’s influence in regional economic affairs and advance its investment promotion objectives.

However, Cabinet did not announce the value of any investment commitments or identify specific projects secured during the engagements.

The government said its regional leadership would be used to promote industrialisation, cross-border trade and stronger regional value chains.

Zimbabwe’s COMESA chairmanship is expected to run for one year.