Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve-Victoria Falls Reporter
LOCAL authorities must complement traditional revenue streams like rates and rentals by harnessing innovative income models and partnerships to unlock their full potential.
Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Engineer Benjamin Kabikira, said this in an address at the recent 2025 Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Annual Congress held in Victoria Falls.
He called upon local authorities to adopt innovative strategies, including digital transformation and investor-friendly policies, to revitalise local economies and attract investment.
Eng Kabikira emphasised the critical role of well-managed local authorities in driving national economic growth. The deputy minister said leveraging technology can improve service delivery and revenue collection in a big way.
“Think beyond rates and rents. Embrace digital systems for billing and service tracking,” he said.
Eng Kabikira said the shift would enhance efficiency, reduce leakages, and foster transparency, ultimately making local governments more attractive to investors.
He also stressed the need for clear and predictable local by-laws to create a conducive environment for business.
“Attract investment through clear, predictable local by-laws. Work hand-in-hand with your residents and business leaders to make our towns and rural growth points more competitive,” said the deputy minister.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by local authorities, including ageing infrastructure, limited revenue bases, urban sprawl and regulatory bottlenecks.
These issues could hinder Zimbabwe’s progress toward becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, as envisioned by President Mnangagwa.
“These challenges, if left unchecked, compromise our collective vision of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, a vision anchored on the principle of leaving no one and no place behind,” he said.
In order to address these challenges, the Government has implemented several key initiatives aimed at decentralising resources and decision-making.
Eng Kabikira took the opportunity to highlight the operationalisation of the Devolution and Decentralisation Policy, which ensures that resources and authority are devolved closer to communities.
“The Devolution and Decentralisation Policy is now being operationalised, ensuring that resources and decision-making power are devolved closer to communities,” he said.
Further, the Government has launched the Roadmap for the Transformation of Local Authorities, a blueprint for institutional reform, financial prudence and improved service delivery. The deputy minister cited tangible progress, such as the completion of the Mbudzi Interchange and the implementation of climate-resilient water projects, as evidence of the Government’s commitment to infrastructure development.
He said it is important to have collaboration between local authorities, the private sector, and residents while calling upon businesses to actively participate in local economic development.
“We value your partnership and urge you to remain constructive and candid as you share your perspectives today. We need your capital, your ideas and your confidence that Zimbabwe’s local economies can deliver a fair return on investment,” he said.
The deputy minister also commended ZNCC for providing a platform for dialogue between policymakers and the private sector.
“Gatherings such as the ZNCC Annual Congress are so important, they bridge the often-silo conversations between Government planners and the businesses who ultimately invest, create jobs, and build communities,” he said.
Eng Kabikira called for a united effort to transform local economies, urging all stakeholders to engage in robust, solution-oriented discussions for the benefit of the nation.
“It’s our firm commitment, as the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, to take your recommendations seriously and to translate them into actionable reforms that will make Zimbabwe’s local authorities true enablers of Vision 2030,” he said.
By embracing digital innovation, fostering public-private partnerships, and implementing investor-friendly policies, councils can play a pivotal role in achieving Zimbabwe’s development goals.
The success of these efforts will depend on the collective commitment of all stakeholders, Government, businesses, and citizens alike to build thriving, competitive communities across Zimbabwe.
