Strengthening Bilateral Ties: President Mnangagwa Receives Mohamed Arkab on Working Visit to Zimbabwe
BY: Hana Saada
Harare- The Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, embarked on a significant working visit to Zimbabwe, where he was warmly received by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the State House. The meeting marked a crucial milestone in the strengthening of bilateral relations between Algeria and Zimbabwe, with a particular focus on enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy and mining.
The high-level meeting was attended by the Algerian delegation and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy and Energy Development, Soda Zhemu. The leaders seized the opportunity to express their commitment to further consolidate the historical cooperation between their nations and elevate the bilateral ties to new heights.
President Mnangagwa extended his fraternal greetings to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune through Mohamed Arkab, underscoring the strong political will of both countries to foster mutually beneficial partnerships. In response, Minister Arkab conveyed President Tebboune’s warm regards and reaffirmed Algeria’s determination to work collaboratively with Zimbabwe.
During the visit, an essential step was taken to bolster cooperation with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the energy sector. The MoU aimed at promoting collaboration in the domains of oil, gas, electricity, renewable energies, and training, thereby ensuring the sustainable development of both nations’ energy resources.
Speaking about the significance of the visit, Minister Mohamed Arkab highlighted Algeria’s eagerness to intensify exchanges with African countries. He outlined the main lines of Algeria’s energy sector development program and the new regulatory framework governing hydrocarbon activities. Emphasizing Algeria’s desire to solidify relations with Zimbabwe, he called for increased cooperation across the entire value chain in the hydrocarbons sector.
Both parties expressed their satisfaction with the historical and excellent relations between Algeria and Zimbabwe. They celebrated the recent positive momentum in cooperation activities, including high-level visits between the two nations. Notably, a delegation from the Zimbabwean parliament, led by Mr. Jacob Medunda, visited Algeria in April 2023, further cementing the bonds of friendship.
The discussions further delved into areas of mutual interest, including electricity transmission, conversion, engineering, studies, and development of electricity networks. The ministers explored ways to enhance collaboration and promote the exchange of experiences, expertise, and knowledge transfer. The utilization of digital technologies and modern technological applications to improve operational performance in the oil and gas sector was also emphasized.
Minister Soda Zhemu expressed Zimbabwe’s keen interest in advancing relations with Algeria and exploring economic cooperation. He welcomed the prospect of participation from Algerian companies, particularly Sonatrach and Sonelgaz, in Zimbabwe’s development projects. The goal is to foster a win-win partnership in the oil, gas, and power industries.
Both nations are looking to harness their respective expertise to strengthen the energy and mining sectors, not just for domestic growth but also to penetrate and thrive in the African markets.
The visit by Minister Mohamed Arkab reaffirms Algeria’s commitment to forging strategic partnerships with African nations and underlines the mutual benefits of cooperation in the energy and mining sectors. As the two countries look forward to a future of shared prosperity, this visit paves the way for further collaboration and joint ventures in the critical areas of energy and mining.
