Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
THE Government will continue supporting the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency financially and institutionally to strengthen the production of reliable official statistics critical for economic planning and governance, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Director of Finance and Administration Mr Kudakwashe Zata at ZimStat’s fifth Annual General Meeting yesterday, Prof Ncube said official statistics played a central role in shaping sound economic policies, guiding investment decisions and strengthening public trust in public institutions.
“Reliable data is the backbone of effective planning. It enables governments to allocate resources wisely, businesses to innovate with confidence and citizens to hold institutions accountable,” he said.
Demand for timely, accurate and transparent statistics, the minister said, had increased amid rapid technological change and global uncertainty, making the role of ZimStat even more critical.
He commended the agency for modernising data collection systems, adopting digital technologies and strengthening collaboration with regional and international partners.
“These efforts ensure that our country remains aligned with global best practices while addressing the unique needs of our economy and society,” Prof Ncube said.
Treasury, he said, remained committed to supporting ZimStat’s mandate through adequate funding and human capital development, stressing the importance of safeguarding the independence of statistical processes.
“I pledge continued support for the agency’s mission, both financially and through the necessary human capital,” he said.
Prof Ncube welcomed the appointment of a fully constituted board with a balanced mix of skills and gender representation, saying it was critical for compliance with governance and regulatory requirements.
“I am glad that we now have a full complement of the board with the right mix in terms of gender and skills. This is critical for compliance with governance requirements and for strengthening the system.”
The minister said the strengthened governance framework had already started yielding results, citing the production of unqualified financial statements by the agency.
“We are beginning to see the positive impact of the new board and leadership through the production of unqualified financial statements.”
Prof Ncube said Government support would also focus on strengthening institutional capacity and promoting the use of evidence-based decision-making tools across all sectors of the economy.
He said robust and credible statistics would be key as Zimbabwe implements the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which seeks to transform the country into an upper middle-income economy by 2030 in line with Vision 2030.
“Statistics are not just numbers. They guide our development trajectory and inform policy choices.”
Prof Mcube said ZimStat to remain focused on supporting national development priorities by producing credible data.
