Zimbabwe's Ambassador to China, Abigail Shoniwa, sat down with China Africa Talk to reflect on 45 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations—a journey rooted in solidarity and evolving into a powerhouse for tech, green energy, and gender equality.
A Friendship Built on Shared Struggles 🌱
Ambassador Shoniwa traced the relationship through three phases: pre-independence support (1960s-1980), where China trained Zimbabwe's liberation fighters; post-independence consolidation (1980s-2000s), marked by healthcare collaborations and infrastructure projects; and the modern era (2000s-present), exploding with investments in airports, solar power, and ICT.
Tech Titans & Green Dreams 🚀
With 17 agreements signed during President Mnangagwa's 2023 China visit, Zimbabwe is doubling down on Huawei-backed data centers, AI-driven agriculture, and solar farms. 'The digital economy is the future,' Shoniwa emphasized, citing ZTE's telecom partnerships and China's 'green solutions' to Zimbabwe's energy challenges.
Women Leading the Charge 👩💼
As Zimbabwe's first female ambassador to China, Shoniwa highlighted Kirsty Coventry's historic IOC leadership: 'She’s done Africa proud.' Looking ahead, she endorsed Beijing’s upcoming Gender Equality Summit as a chance to 'take stock' of global progress.
What’s Next? 🎯
Shoniwa's priorities? More Chinese investment in tourism (think luxury lodges and Victoria Falls adventures!), tech training for students, and boosting Zimbabwean exports like minerals and agricultural goods. 'We’re hungry for collaboration,' she said—with a grin as bright as the future she envisions.
