Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE recent launch of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which lays down a comprehensive roadmap for the period 2026 to 2030, is a clear signal of the Second Republic’s unwavering commitment to the development of the nation through home-grown policies.
The development blueprint, unveiled by President Mnangagwa, is not merely an economic plan, but a national statement that firmly entrenches the administration’s philosophy of self-determination, encapsulated in the widely embraced mantra: “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo.”
In his address, President Mnangagwa took time to applaud the consultation process that informed the strategy’s formulation, highlighting the inclusive nature of the Second Republic’s governance.
This approach is central to the national philosophy, ensuring the plan reflects the collective will.
“It is pleasing that you executed the task guided by the principle of inclusivity and our mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind’,” the President said, underscoring the broad-based buy-in across all stakeholders, including the private sector, faith-based organisations, and the diaspora.
He further declared: “NDS2 is, thus, an outcome of broad-based national consultations. Well done, makorokoto. Amhlophe. It encapsulates the voices, hopes, and aspirations of our people from across the country.”
The NDS2 is a direct successor to the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and the preceding National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1), demonstrating a disciplined, phased approach towards the ultimate goal of Vision 2030.
The strategy consolidates previous gains while setting new, high-impact targets.
The President outlined the overarching objective of transforming the economy from a commodity-based structure to a modern, diversified one through value addition and beneficiation, a key pillar of the Second Republic’s economic diplomacy and industrialisation drive.
He noted that the development blueprint “further signifies our resolve and determination to accelerate our transition towards a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society as enunciated in Vision 2030”.
The National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) is centred on 10 key national priorities, with four major areas aligning perfectly with the core thrust of the Second Republic’s vision. Firstly, achieving macro-economic stability is paramount.
This priority focuses on sustaining a stable and predictable macroeconomic environment that actively promotes investment, innovation, productivity, and resilience while simultaneously strengthening and deepening the financial sector to enhance domestic resource mobilisation and broaden financial inclusion.
This stable foundation is seen as essential for any long-term development success.
Secondly, the strategy places significant emphasis on infrastructure development.
The goal is to build a “strong, modern, and resilient infrastructure backbone” across all sectors of the economy.
This includes implementing comprehensive interventions in critical enablers such as energy, transport, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), water and sanitation, as well as housing development. A reliable, modern infrastructure network is deemed vital for supporting increased productivity and sustainable socio-economic development, enabling inclusive economic growth and structural transformation.
Thirdly, the NDS2 prioritises productivity and resilience, particularly in the agricultural sector.
The thrust here is on increasing agricultural productivity to achieve robust food and nutrition security for the nation. It also aims to promote sustainable agro-processing value chains and strengthen climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
Riding on recent “unprecedented gains” in crops like maize, wheat, and tobacco, the strategy seeks to ring-fence national food security through increased productivity, modern storage, and enhanced climate-proofing measures, including integrated land and water management.
The development of human capital is also a critical focus for the knowledge-driven economy that the Second Republic envisions. This priority involves promoting science, technology, innovation, and human capital development.
The NDS2 is designed to enhance the quality of education through science, vocational education and training, and lifelong learning, with a specific goal to consolidate the intricate nexus between academia, innovation, and industry to foster a digitally enabled and modern economy.
In line with the Second Republic’s emphasis on results-based management and high work ethic, the strategy is anchored on accountability. President Mnangagwa directly challenged public institutions to meet high service standards.
“All public institutions are challenged, therefore, to develop and nurture service delivery standards that suit our unique local realities while also dovetailing with global best practices,” he stressed.
The “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” drive remains a core component, with NDS2 set to “continue to advance reforms aimed at enhancing competitiveness and reducing the cost as well as the complexity of doing business.”
Furthermore, the push for devolution and decentralisation is highlighted as a critical tool for equitable regional development, ensuring that truly no one and no place is left behind.
The launch culminated in a powerful call for collective ownership, resonating deeply with the self-reliance philosophy.
The President reaffirmed that the strategy’s success rests on the participation of all citizens, leveraging domestic resources and the ingenuity of the people.
“Leveraging our domestic resource endowments, the hard-working nature of our people, ingenuity of our youth, along with the invaluable role of our citizens in the diaspora, nothing in this plan is impossible,” he said, urging all Zimbabweans to put “shoulder to the wheel” and uphold the principles of “service, patriotism, loyalty, hard work, production, and productivity.”
NDS2 is a progressive, meticulously planned move that provides a strong directional focus, confirming the Second Republic’s trajectory toward an empowered and prosperous future.
It is a plan by Zimbabweans, for Zimbabweans, and its timely execution is set to make the cherished national Vision 2030 a reality.
The launch of NDS2, therefore, stands as a defining moment in Zimbabwe’s progressive march towards Vision 2030.
It is a testament to the Second Republic’s dedication to structured, results-oriented development, moving the nation away from reliance and towards self-determination.
The strategy’s foundation in inclusivity, its focus on value addition, and its insistence on high standards of governance directly reflect President Mnangagwa’s core philosophy that the destiny of the nation is in the hands of its people.
As the President aptly concluded, “Ibwe pamusoro peibwe, ngatirambei tichivaka nyika yedu/Ilitshe phezu kwelitshe, asiqhubekeni siyakha ilizwe lethu,” signalling that the task of national construction is an ongoing, collective effort.
With NDS 2 now officially in motion, the framework for success is clearly defined. Its execution, monitored through a robust, digitally enabled system, demands unwavering commitment from every sector.
By anchoring development on domestic resource endowments, prioritising the skills of the youth, and upholding the values of productivity and patriotism, Zimbabwe is well-positioned to accelerate progress and surpass its development aspirations.
The strategy is more than a document; it is a shared national vision empowering citizens to build, modernise, and industrialise their beloved motherland, confirming that the journey to an upper middle-income society is firmly on course.
