Zimbabwe and Russia Explore Opportunities to Deepen Hi-Tech Collaboration

Vice President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga of Zimbabwe recently praised the collaboration between Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation in science and technology, citing the benefits reaped by Zimbabwe from this partnership. During his visit to the state-of-the-art Kazan Russian Helicopters manufacturing plant in Russia, Vice President Chiwenga expressed Zimbabwe's commitment to further strengthening this collaboration.

The visit took place alongside the Phygital Games of the Future Kazan 2024, where Vice President Chiwenga utilized his presence to pursue economic diplomatic assignments aimed at fostering economic growth in Zimbabwe in alignment with President Mnangagwa's agenda.

Reflecting on the longstanding relations between Zimbabwe and Russia, Vice President Chiwenga highlighted Russia's support for Zimbabwe during the liberation struggle and its continued support thereafter, including vetoing comprehensive United Nations sanctions against Zimbabwe in the Security Council.

During the tour of the helicopter manufacturing firm, Vice President Chiwenga commended the technology and skills transfer from Russia to Zimbabwe, particularly in trade, investment, and technical assistance across various sectors of the Zimbabwean economy. He also expressed appreciation for Russia's role in training pilots to operate air ambulances recently acquired by Zimbabwe, emphasizing the importance of local capacity building in servicing and repairing the country's fleet of air ambulances.

Vice President Chiwenga's visit to the Phygital Games of the Future Kazan 2024 was marked by his enthusiastic recognition of the potential benefits awaiting Zimbabwe through active participation in such groundbreaking sporting events. With a keen eye on the future, he underscored the pivotal role of transforming the sports sector into a dynamic and high-value industry capable of not only fostering athletic excellence but also serving as a robust engine for youth employment. In his address, Vice President Chiwenga articulated a vision where sports cease to be merely recreational pursuits but emerge as vibrant economic sectors, ripe with opportunities for skill development, entrepreneurship, and job creation.

A central theme of Vice President Chiwenga's remarks was the innovative blend of physical and digital elements characteristic of the Phygital Games. By seamlessly integrating traditional sporting activities with cutting-edge digital technologies, these games represent a paradigm shift in the realm of sports entertainment. Vice President Chiwenga lauded this innovative approach, suggesting that it could serve as a blueprint for future Olympic events, hinting at a broader trend towards embracing digitalization and technological advancements in the sporting arena.

Beyond the realm of sports, Vice President Chiwenga's visit also served to underscore the deepening collaboration between Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation in the spheres of technology, skills development, and economic growth. By leveraging shared expertise and resources, both nations stand poised to unlock new frontiers of innovation and prosperity. Moreover, Vice President Chiwenga's recognition of the potential of initiatives like the Phygital Games reflects a broader commitment to embracing forward-thinking, disruptive technologies that promise to reshape traditional industries and drive future growth.

In sum, Vice President Chiwenga's visit to the Phygital Games of the Future Kazan 2024 not only highlighted the transformative potential of sports but also underscored the importance of international collaboration and technological innovation in shaping the future trajectory of both sports and economic development.