Online Reporter
Africa Moyo
Deputy National Editor
HARARE is set to host a provincial development dialogue tomorrow, aimed at creating a participatory framework that ensures inclusive socio-economic development in the province and contribute towards the achievement of Vision 2030.
Dubbed the Harare Provincial Development Dialogue (PDD), the engagement will run under the theme: “Towards inclusive socio-economic transformation: Leaving no one and no place behind”, a call to action that reinforces equity, access, and broad-based participation.
The National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF) is working with the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in organising the dialogue that is expected to attract upwards of 200 delegates from across the province, representing Government, business, labour, civic society, traditional leadership, youth, academia and development partners.
A concept note seen by The Herald indicates that the Government, through the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa, has prioritised devolution and decentralisation as transformative pillars for equitable development and inclusive governance.
Anchored in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which is transitioning into NDS2, the reforms are designed to correct historical imbalances, empower local communities, and unlock the full economic potential of each province in line with the aspiration of attaining an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030.
Through devolution, Government seeks to have people from the grassroots, driving the development process in their areas unlike in the past when the central Government would decide for them.
This process, which has seen the massive construction of critical infrastructure such as roads, clinics, schools and provision of clean water, has fostered grassroots ownership of the development agenda.
Reads the concept note in part: “As the country prepares to enter the NDS2 phase, focusing on accelerated, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, the need for strong provincial development frameworks becomes even more critical.
“The National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF), as the national convener of public-private dialogue (PPD) on socio-economic issues, plays a catalytic role in bridging the gap between national policy and community realities.
“In pursuit of this mandate, NECF convenes provincial development dialogues that bring together key stakeholders across public, private and civic spheres to collectively shape provincial strategies and feed critical insights into national policy formulation.”
The dialogues are essential in ensuring that national development strategies are informed by local perspectives and grounded in practical, community-driven solutions.
Harare Province, as the seat of Government and capital of Zimbabwe, plays a central role in driving the country’s economic growth and transformation.
Statistics show that Harare province contributes 23,3 percent to the national GDP (Zimstats 2023), driven mainly by key sectors such as wholesale and retail including repair of vehicles and motorcycles 25,5 percent, manufacturing 15,5 percent, financial and insurance activities 10,7 percent, and information and communication 9,3 percent.
Harare also hosts the headquarters of many regional and international organisations, major public institutions, and private sector players, making it a nerve-centre for policy influence, innovation, and economic activity.
The NECF said major infrastructure developments are presently reshaping the province’s urban and economic landscape.
Some of the notable infrastructure development projects are the ongoing construction of the remaining 88km of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, which is an integral part of the North-South Corridor that facilitates trade across Southern Africa.
The completion of the Trabablas Interchange also marks a major milestone in modernising the city’s transport infrastructure and decongesting a critical traffic node.
Additional mini interchanges are also planned, a development that represents substantial public investment in improving connectivity, easing movement of goods and people, and laying the foundation for sustained economic growth.
Despite the developments, Harare continues to grapple with challenges such as housing shortages, service delivery deficits, environmental degradation and infrastructural stress.
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