In a strategic move to modernize its rural economy and unlock new export markets, Zimbabwe is seeking to deepen economic ties with Belarus, targeting imports of advanced agricultural machinery and high-quality dairy products in exchange for tropical fruits and raw cotton.

The renewed partnership was spotlighted during a high-level meeting in Minsk on Tuesday between Zimbabwe’s Minister of Women Affairs and Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Monica Mutsvangwa, and the Belarusian Women’s Union. The talks were part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s official visit to Belarus, signaling a fresh push for bilateral cooperation.

“We want to be partners with you. More than 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s people work in rural areas on farmlands,” Mutsvangwa said, emphasizing the urgent need for tractors, combine harvesters, and other machinery to boost agricultural productivity.

Zimbabwe also expressed keen interest in Belarusian dairy products, citing their renowned quality. In return, Harare is offering a range of fruits that are out of season in Belarus during winter, creating a mutually beneficial exchange.

But the cooperation is set to go beyond food. Zimbabwe is positioning itself as a supplier of raw cotton, with hopes of tapping into Belarusian expertise to develop its underperforming textile and leather industries.

The two nations already enjoy longstanding ties, particularly in agriculture, mining, and education relations that were further strengthened by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s 2019 visit to Zimbabwe.

Now, with a revitalized focus on trade and industrial development, Harare is eyeing Belarus not just as a partner, but as a key enabler of its rural transformation and economic diversification goals.