Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Writer
ZIMBABWE has stepped up efforts to accelerate its devolution agenda, positioning provincial and local economies as key drivers of investment and sustainable development.
Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution in the Office of the President and Cabinet Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti made the remarks yesterday during the 2025 Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Annual Congress.
Addressing delegates, Eng Muguti outlined a comprehensive strategy to strengthen local governance structures, enhance fiscal discipline, and encourage private sector participation, initiatives aligned with the country’s Vision 2030 objectives.
“The Government of Zimbabwe is fully engaged in reconfiguring the state’s architecture to support the Constitution-driven devolution agenda.
“To this end, over the past five years, we have instituted clear structural frameworks defining the roles of central, provincial, and local government,” said Eng Muguti.
He highlighted the important roles played by provincial development committees, local development committees, and legislative bodies such as provincial councils in driving inclusive economic growth.
“This demonstrates the Government’s administrative ingenuity and commitment to ensuring that the architecture of the state is geared towards meaningful development,” he added.
A core pillar of this strategy is the enforcement of fiscal discipline across all levels of Government. Eng Muguti underscored the importance of adhering to national development blueprints, particularly the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“Programme-based budgeting has been introduced. For you, the citizens of Zimbabwe and captains of industry, adherence to sovereign discipline is paramount. We must also embrace transformative thinking,” he said.
Calling for an end to speculative business practices, he encouraged the private sector to participate meaningfully in national development initiatives.
To address regional disparities and ensure equitable economic growth, the Government has introduced Provincial Economic Development Plans (PEDPs) and Local Economic Development Plans (LEDPs).
These are tailored to harness the unique endowments of each province, be it agriculture, mining, or tourism.
“We have decentralised stakeholder consultations. I encourage this revolutionary chamber of commerce to mirror Government structures of devolution, such that provincial ministers are supported by captains of industry based within their areas of jurisdiction,” he said.
Eng Muguti also highlighted the implementation of fiscal devolution, whereby line ministries are required to allocate financial, technical, and human resources to provincial and local authorities.
A major concern, he said, has been ensuring that local communities benefit from their natural resources. The Marange diamonds case, he noted, is a stark reminder of the consequences of failing to distribute wealth equitably.
“We must ensure that our people truly benefit from their natural endowments and use these to develop their communities,” he said.
To attract investment and stimulate local development, the Government has adopted Provincial Development Agency frameworks and is actively promoting Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs) in mining and other sectors.
“We are fully embracing CSOTs in mining ventures, while also promoting greater Government participation in equity ownership,” said Eng Muguti.
For the first time, the Government is developing Provincial Fiscal Performance Analysis Frameworks to monitor economic indicators at the sub-national level.
“From this year, we will begin reporting on provincial gross domestic product (GDP), including per capita GDP, provincial production indices, food security indices, tourism performance, infrastructure growth and employment generation,” he said.
While reaffirming Government’s role in creating a supportive economic climate, Eng Muguti emphasised the need for businesses to play their part.
“Government is in the business of creating a conducive investment environment that allows businesses to thrive. We are not job creators per se, but we provide the platform for you to create jobs for our people,” he said.
Eng Muguti further urged the private sector to participate in policy formulation and report acts of economic sabotage.
“Let us stop protecting businesses engaged in arbitrage, smuggling, and sabotage under the guise of institutions such as the ZNCC,” he said.
“Let’s work together to identify policy loopholes and submit proposals to Parliament or the Presidency. Most importantly, begin telling the success story of our beloved Zimbabwe.”
As the country progresses towards Vision 2030, the devolution agenda aims to empower provinces, attract meaningful investment, and ensure inclusive development. With sound policy, fiscal responsibility, and public-private collaboration, Zimbabwe is poised for sustainable growth. —@nyeve14
derick.khumalo