Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike-Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is expected to take Zimbabwe’s targeted review report from the African Peer Review Mechanism to the Forum of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February next year.
The report will document Zimbabwe’s governance, economic and social development experiences, serving as a valuable reference for other African nations.
Lead panel member for Zimbabwe, Ambassador Aly El Hefny, said the report would help other member states learn from Zimbabwe’s resilience and progress in challenging circumstances.
Speaking yesterday at the APRM review team’s engagement with stakeholders, including traditional leadership, churches, higher learning institutions, the business community and local authorities in the Midlands, he said: “With this report, other African countries will find valuable lessons and examples of how Zimbabweans have overcome significant challenges, particularly during the sanctions period,” he said.
“Despite these hardships, Zimbabwe has continued to develop and advance while focusing on future opportunities,” said Ambassador El Hefny.
He expressed satisfaction with the APRM review team’s discussions in Zimbabwe, highlighting the country’s openness and progress. “We are very happy to be in Zimbabwe, enjoying the company of wonderful people,” he said.
The forthcoming report would be presented to President Mnangagwa and subsequently to the APRM at the summit in February. “The report will be launched and shared with a wide audience across Africa and beyond.”
Zimbabwe’s APRM National Focal Point, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi, said the report would first be presented to President Mnangagwa before he shares it with his peers.
“This important exercise will culminate in a report presented to His Excellency the President, who will then take it to the APRM Forum of Heads of State and Government in February,” he said.
Ambassador Chimbindi described the APRM process as a national learning exercise based on self-assessment and transparency.
“We must embrace this as a grounded, evidence-based national learning exercise guided by our Constitution and leadership,” he urged.
Ambassador Chimbindi emphasised Zimbabwe’s commitment to good governance and openness through its participation in the APRM. The APRM is a special initiative of the African Inion aimed at promoting good governance and sustainable development across the continent.
It is a voluntary mechanism, and Zimbabwe joined the APRM family because it had nothing to hide and much to share.
President Mnangagwa joined the APRM on February 8, 2020, marking Zimbabwe’s commitment to enhancing transparency, accountability, and inclusive development in line with continental governance standards.
Earlier, the APRM delegation paid a courtesy call on Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Midlands Owen Ncube.
Minister Ncube told the delegation that Midlands is benefiting from public-private partnerships, boasting a GDP growth rate of 4,7 percent.
The province is projected to contribute 7 percent of the national economy by 2030.
“The province has the second-fastest growing GDP at 4,7 percent, driven by substantial private sector investments in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and tourism, which create jobs and improve livelihoods.”
He attributed the growth to the Provincial Economic Development Plan, which leverages the region’s mineral resources, infrastructure, and human capital.
The engagements provided an open forum to discuss economic governance issues affecting communities in the province.
The APRM delegation included key figures such as Ambassador Chimbindi, interim CEO Mrs Rofina Chikava and chief director in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Jonathan Gandari, among other senior officials.
The team is visiting other provinces during its stay in Zimbabwe, gathering insights and perspectives from various sectors to enrich the national report and inform policy recommendations that promote transparency, accountability, and inclusive development.
During their tour, Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in the Midlands, Mr Edgars Seenza, guided the mission team to the MSU National Pathology Research and Diagnostic Centre and the MSU Innovation Hub, further enhancing their understanding of local initiatives and innovation.
