Zimbabwe can fight back sanctions- Togo president

Visiting Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé said Zimbabwe has the capacity to fight back the punishing Western imposed sanctions.

He was the guest of honor at this year's Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo. He said his perception about Zimbabwe changed when he arrived in the country.

"Zimbabwe can fight back the sanctions.

"For 15 years you have been under sanctions but that can be overcome" he said amid applause from guests including President Mugabe. Gnassingbe said what he used to hear about the country is not obtaining on the ground. He said African countries must change ways of doing business and adopt aggressive mechanisation to realise economic transformation.

"Industrialisation calls for certain strategies. We must improve the business climate. Effective administrations should be in place, we must fight corruption," he said.

"Integration is a dream that Africa has dreamt of since the beginning of independence on the continent. We inherited Africa with artificial boundaries which hindered integration," Gnassingbe said in a televised address.