Online Reporter
Judith Phiri,Zimpapers Business Hub
AS Zimbabwe steps up the development of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), digitisation of public services has been viewed critical to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery in the country.
The NDS2 is an economic blueprint to complete the second five-year medium-term development plan, riding on the success of NDS1 that started in January 2021 and ends in December 2025.
In his keynote address at the 9th edition of the Public Sector Convention in Bulawayo on Friday, Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Kudakwashe David Mnangagwa called for digital innovation as a necessity in the public sector.
“The digitisation of public services has much more profound benefits. It breaks down geographical barriers, enabling every citizen, in urban and rural communities alike, to access services with ease and dignity.
“Accordingly, NDS2 under crafting will emphasise the digitisation of critical services to support financial inclusion, healthcare delivery, education and social protection. The public sector must lead in adopting these innovations to elevate citizen trust and deliver responsive governance,” he said.
He said an inclusive governance lies at the heart of sustainable development and equitable growth.
The Deputy Minister said public administration must embody principles of participation, accountability and fairness, ensuring that no place and no one is left behind.
He added: “As the Government formulates NDS2, which is a successor of NDS1, it is critical that our public sector rises to the occasion as a catalyst and enabler of the nation’s socio-economic transformation. The NDS2, with its focus on inclusive economic growth, social equity and sustainable development, provides the blueprint within which digital innovation, inclusive governance, financial stewardship and resilience must harmoniously converge.”
Deputy Minister Mnangagwa said Government remains steadfast in its pursuit of a paperless, seamless, interconnected and universally accessible digital public administration system through the digitalisation agenda.
He said groundbreaking initiatives and platforms such as the ZIMConnect, the e-Government portals, Tax and Revenue Management System (TaRMS) a new tax administration system and the digitisation of procurement and payroll systems were early examples demonstrating the potential of technology when thoughtfully deployed and effectively managed.
The Deputy Minister said: “Yet, this transformation journey demands more than just technology adoption; it requires robust cybersecurity frameworks to safeguard data and infrastructure, ongoing capacity building to equip public servants with the necessary digital skills, and cohesive collaboration across government departments to ensure inclusivity and sustainability.”
He said professional bodies, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ), have a pivotal role in facilitating the digital evolution, supporting financial digitisation, enhancing transparency through blockchain technologies and ensuring that digital public systems remain audit-ready and trustworthy.
Deputy Minister Mnangagwa said only through concerted efforts can the nation fully realise a resilient, efficient and transparent public sector empowered by digital innovation for the benefit of all its citizens.
He said: “A reimagined public sector must ensure that every citizen is seen, heard, and served, irrespective of location, gender or ability. This, therefore, calls for urgent decentralisation of services, community participation in policy feedback, merit-based recruitment and promotion systems, as well as gender parity and youth empowerment in leadership pipelines.”
The Deputy Minister said in addition, financial stewardship remains paramount, while the public sector was entrusted with public resources and prudent financial management essential to achieving the nation’s vision.
He said transparency mechanisms, strengthened public financial management systems and rigorous audit and oversight functions must be also entrenched to safeguard public funds and ensure value for money.
The two-day event is running under the theme: “Reimagining Public Sector Future: Digital Innovation, Inclusive Governance and Resilient Impact to the Public Sector Profession.”
