Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike in MASVINGO
The acceleration of domestic and regional economic integration, particularly in fiscal, monetary and trade policy coordination, dominated discussions at the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) targeted review on economic governance and management draft report validation workshop held in Masvingo last week.
The week-long workshop subjected the draft report to intensive scrutiny, with participants examining whether key concerns, including measures to combat money laundering and illicit financial flows, were accurately captured and reflected national realities.
The validation exercise, which ended yesterday, is meant to ensure that the draft report aligns with Zimbabwe’s development agenda and reflects findings from nationwide stakeholder consultations.
The country has completed the APRM Targeted Review Mission and is now validating the draft report on economic governance and management.
Once finalised, the validated report will be submitted to President Mnangagwa, who is expected to present it to his peers at the African union Summit scheduled next month in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
President Mnangagwa acceded to the APRM on February 8, 2020 during the 29th Session of the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, becoming the 39th member state to voluntarily join the mechanism.
The move demonstrated Zimbabwe’s commitment to strengthening good governance, transparency and sustainable development.
During the workshop, participants examined how stakeholder participation in the formulation of economic policies, as well as the promotion of sound public financial management, were captured in the draft report.
The validation process was led by Zimbabwe APRM Governing Council chairperson Commissioner James Manzou, while Acting Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Willard Manungo, officiated at the workshop.
APRM focal point person to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi, APRM interim chief executive officer Ambassador Rofina Chikava and National Governing Council member Mr Jonathan Gandari were part of the validation team.
Officials from various Government departments and other stakeholders also attended the workshop.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Ambassador Chimbindi said the APRM process was designed to strengthen democracy and improve governance across the continent.
“It’s to judge each other and help each other improve where we need to improve,” he said.
“It’s also a process that helps us to copy from others the good practices that others have done, so that we don’t invent the wheel as it is.
“After acceding to the APRM process, His Excellency the President has set up the national institutional structures to manage the process.
“We have also been assisted by the Continental Secretariat in terms of how we are supposed to do the review.”
Ambassador Chimbindi said the topic selected by President Mnangagwa for Zimbabwe’s review focused on economic governance and management, allowing the country to showcase its economic performance, policy frameworks and reform measures, while also learning from other member states.
“And as you know, the topic that was chosen by His Excellency the President is to do with economic governance and management, which means Zimbabwe would want to showcase the way it is performing in its economy, the way it is running its economy, the measures and policies and principles that have been in place which are there,” he said.
Commissioner Manzou said the validation process provided an opportunity to assess recommendations made by the Continental Secretariat on Zimbabwe’s economic reform policies.
