Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
CALLS for a pro-poor, inclusive and transparent 2026 National Budget took centre stage during the Pre-Budget Seminar held in Bulawayo last week with legislators, policymakers and economic experts urging the Government to prioritise the needs of the marginalised and vulnerable while ensuring fiscal discipline, accountability and constitutional adherence in budget execution.
Participants stressed that the forthcoming budget must directly address social protection, service delivery, job creation and equitable access to resources — the cornerstones of inclusive growth towards Vision 2030.
Held under the theme “Enhancing Drivers of Economic Growth and Transformation Towards Vision 2030,” the seminar drew together parliamentarians, policymakers, economists and civic representatives to shape the fiscal priorities.
Presenting key outcomes from the seminar, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion chairperson, Mr Lincoln Dhliwayo, said the 2026 Budget must reflect the voices of citizens gathered during national consultations.
“The public strongly emphasised that the upcoming Budget should be pro-poor, prioritising the needs of marginalised and vulnerable groups to foster inclusive national development,” he said.
“Participants commended Parliament for engaging communities to gather submissions that shape the fiscal policy landscape through the 2026 National Budget.”
Stakeholders raised concerns over delayed disbursement of funds to ministries, which continues to undermine effective service delivery in critical sectors such as health, education, agriculture and social welfare.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda challenged Treasury to uphold Parliament’s constitutional authority by ensuring full and timely disbursement of approved allocations.
“The Budget discourse should boldly confront the persistent and vexing dichotomy between what Parliament appropriates through its constitutional authority and what Treasury actually disburses to Parliament and implementing Ministries, Departments and Agencies,” he stated. “This incongruence represents a fundamental breach of constitutional expectations and undermines the integrity of the Appropriation Act and the entire fiscal framework.”
He added that failure to align appropriations and disbursements undermines Parliament’s oversight role and the credibility of the fiscal system.
“When Treasury fails to disburse approved allocations, it effectively eviscerates Parliament’s oversight role and leaves MDAs gasping for resources to fulfil their mandates. Alignment between appropriations and disbursements is not an administrative courtesy but a constitutional imperative,” Adv Mudenda said.
Stakeholders commended the stability of the ZiG currency, describing it as a positive step towards restoring confidence in the local monetary system. However, they urged increased liquidity and consistent supply across all regions.
“While the introduction of ZiG has been welcomed, significant shortages were reported in several districts, particularly in the southern parts of the country,” Mr Dhliwayo said.
“To facilitate efficient transactions, stakeholders proposed increased injection of ZiG into the economy, improved availability and active promotion of its use in both the formal and informal markets.”
There was a strong public outcry over the rejection of ZiG currency in some regions and the refusal of torn banknotes, with citizens urging the Government to enforce mandatory acceptance of ZiG as legal tender. “Any rejection should attract stiff penalties, and there should be clear regulations ensuring that torn but valid notes are accepted,” Mr Dhliwayo added.
Farmers and rural representatives called for timely payments by GMB and Cottco, an 80 percent upward review of grain prices, and greater investment in irrigation, mechanisation and climate-smart agriculture.
“Mechanisation must be scaled up, with at least one tractor per ward to support land preparation,” said Mr Dhliwayo. “Investment in early-maturity crop varieties is essential to mitigate climate variability and ensure food security.”
Delegates also heard a proposal for two irrigation schemes per ward to support nutrition gardens and business villages, with emphasis on timely fund disbursement to boost productivity.
On energy, participants were told of a need for expansion of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to harness hydro and solar potential and replication of mini-hydropower projects such as Lake Kyle to other water bodies.
“They also called for higher feed-in tariffs above US$0,12 to attract Independent Power Producers and classified power supply to schools and hospitals as a social service deserving priority,” said Mr Dhliwayo.
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, said domestic tourism must be promoted through affordable pricing models for locals.
“We must promote domestic tourism for locals and provide pricing scales that are more affordable to them,” she said.
“The Ministry should facilitate investment in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (Mice) facilities in key destinations such as Victoria Falls to position the country for international events.”
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube proposed a balanced fiscal adjustment, suggesting a 0,5 percent reduction in the Intermediated Money Transfer Tax (IMTT), offset by an equivalent increase in Value Added Tax (VAT). “We can reduce IMTT by half a percent, but provided we are allowed to increase VAT by half a percent,” said Prof Ncube. “We need that revenue, or else we cannot function.”
Prof Ncube outlined 10 priority areas guiding the 2026 National Budget, anchored by the forthcoming NDS2. These include macroeconomic stability, infrastructure and housing, agricultural productivity, climate resilience, digital transformation, job creation, social development, gender and social inclusion, national image building and good governance.
Strong calls were made for improved remuneration for civil servants, particularly in the health and education sectors, to curb brain drain.
“The public called for a 75 percent salary increase for all public servants, alongside pension adjustments to meet or exceed the poverty datum line,” Mr Dliwayo said.
On social protection, participants urged increased funding for vulnerable groups, the elderly, orphans and persons with disabilities and the establishment of dedicated homes for the elderly to strengthen the social safety net.
Participants were told that during consultations, people called for reduction of bank charges and streamlined registration and licensing processes to enhance financial inclusion and SME growth.
“The public applauded Cabinet’s measures to streamline regulatory processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles,” said Mr Dhliwayo.
“However, they urged that reforms be swiftly aligned through legislation to ensure timely implementation.”
There were also calls for accelerated re-industrialisation and operationalisation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), especially in rural areas, to drive value addition and employment creation. Proposed SEZs include Nyanga (wood processing), Chipinge and Chimanimani (fruit processing), Midlands (gold refining), Matabeleland South (livestock processing), Tsholotsho (timber production) and oil exploration in Lupane.
The 2026 National Budget is expected to balance fiscal prudence with developmental priorities while promoting transparency and efficiency in public financial management.
