KEY POINTS
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Vice President Chiwenga’s Italy visit prioritizes Vatican-backed social programs, including girls’ education and healthcare, while addressing Zimbabwe’s youth drug abuse crisis.
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Zimbabwe aims to attract Italian investment in agriculture, mining, and renewable energy to tackle its $14 billion debt and spur economic growth under post-sanctions reforms.
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The Catholic Church’s historical role in Zimbabwe’s development and liberation struggle underpins ongoing partnerships, with 104 schools and 43 hospitals currently operational nationwide.
Vice President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga of Zimbabwe is set to hold high-level discussions with Roman Catholic Church leaders in Italy this week, focusing on advancing social development programs initiated under the late Pope Francis.
The visit, which follows Dr. Chiwenga’s attendance at the pontiff’s funeral last week, aims to solidify the Vatican’s commitment to girls’ education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and climate action in Zimbabwe.
Ambassador Sekai Nzenza, Zimbabwe’s envoy to the Holy See, confirmed the talks would also address drug abuse mitigation, a growing crisis affecting over 60% of Zimbabwean youth, according to 2024 health ministry data.
“The Catholic Church has been instrumental in providing educational opportunities and healthcare services, which are vital for our society,” Ambassador Nzenza told The Herald. “Pope Francis was passionate about social justice, and these programs will continue under his successor.” The Vatican’s renewed pledge includes funding 50 new scholarships for rural girls and expanding maternal health clinics in partnership with Zimbabwe’s government.
Chiwenga courts italian investors to bolster post-sanctions growth
Parallel to the Vatican talks, Dr. Chiwenga will meet Italian business leaders in Milan to advocate for foreign investment under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “open for business” agenda.
Italy, which traded $120 million with Zimbabwe in 2024, has shown interest in solar energy projects and agri-processing ventures.
According to Herald, Ambassador Nzenza highlighted historical ties, noting the Catholic Church’s role during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, when missionaries provided covert support to anti-colonial fighters. Today, the church operates 104 schools and 43 hospitals nationwide.
Meanwhile, the government hopes Italian firms will capitalize on recent reforms, including the 2025 Special Economic Zones Act offering tax holidays for manufacturing investments.
However, challenges persist. Analysts cite currency instability and bureaucratic delays as barriers. “Investors need guarantees against policy reversals,” said Luca Ferrero, head of the Italy-Zimbabwe Trade Association. “Progress hinges on tangible legal safeguards.”
