Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata in Nyanga
GOVERNMENT is committed to strengthening national evidence systems through its partnership with UNICEF in the implementation of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey.
This collaboration was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2024 between the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) and UNICEF to support the implementation of the 7th round of MICS, the country’s fourth national round following successful surveys conducted in 2009, 2014 and 2019.
ZimStat has provided the technical leadership required for a survey of this magnitude and contributed significant in-kind resources, including fieldwork vehicles, personnel, and other materials essential for data collection.
Government has also provided approximately US$480 000 towards the revised MICS budget of US$2,3 million, complementing US$1,2 million from UNICEF and US$250 000 from other UN agencies.
It is expected to mobilise the remaining US$230 000 required for data analysis, report writing, and dissemination.
This commitment aligns with the National Development Strategy (NDS2), which identifies robust data provision and integrated monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems as critical for achieving Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.
NDS2 highlights the need for reliable, timely, and disaggregated data to inform policy and guide equitable resource allocation, including data broken down to ward and district levels by sex, age and vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities. As part of ongoing field monitoring, officials from ZimStat and UNICEF toured Ruwange in Nyanga North yesterday, where data collection is underway in one of the country’s most remote areas.
ZimStat director for Demography and Social Statistics, Mr Aluwisio Mukavhi, said the MICS was one of Zimbabwe’s most comprehensive surveys and a crucial tool for tracking development indicators.
“MICS is going to provide about 40 indicators on the SDGs,” he said.
“The Government of Zimbabwe is going to benefit because the survey will generate crucial indicators to monitor the baseline for NDS2 planning, Agenda 2063, and Vision 2030.”
The survey targets close to 11 000 households across 401 enumeration areas using probability-proportional-to-size sampling based on the 2012 census frame.
Mr Mukavhi said enumerators were using advanced digital tools to allow real-time data monitoring.
UNICEF deputy representative Mr Fiachra McAsey said the fieldwork, which began on October 21 and will run until the end of January, was part of a comprehensive process that includes questionnaire development, translation, enumerator training, and analysis.
“We expect preliminary results by April 2026 and a full report by June 2026,” he said.
