Chronicle Editor
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
ACHIEVING Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, a national development plan aiming to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, would undoubtedly position Zimbabwe as a more competitive player in regional and international trade, attracting vital investment and boosting exports.
In this case, local authorities, which play a vital role in delivering infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, water supply and sanitation systems and delivering essential services like education, healthcare and social welfare programmes, become key drivers of progress towards Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 aspirations.
Their ability to localise national goals and address specific community needs will be crucial for achieving a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future for Zimbabwe.
With Zimbabwe’s achievement of upper-middle-income status by 2030 appearing increasingly likely, local authorities now have a crucial opportunity to capitalise on the upcoming Sadc summit and the Seventh Annual Sadc Industrialisation Week (SIW), which will run from 28 July to 2 August 2024 to facilitate the realisation of Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 goals.
Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 was adopted in 2018.
It is now essential, if not pragmatic, to raise this issue, given that the clock is ticking and Zimbabwe’s aspirational aim to become an upper middle-class society has less than six years to be accomplished.
It is hoped that by capitalising on the Seventh Annual Sadc Industrialisation Week might inspire greater co-operation, co-ordination, consensus-building and better alignment between the national and local governments, which would be ideal for achieving the objectives of Vision 2030, in the time frame left.
Zimbabwe, through the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), in partnership with the Sadc Secretariat and Sadc Business Council, will host the Seventh Annual SIW at the Harare International Conference Centre, under the theme: “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development Towards an Industrialised Sadc.”
The Seventh Annual SIW serves as the largest public-private platform and consultative body for industrialisation in the Sadc region. This annual gathering brings together Sadc Member States, the private sector, international partners, policymakers, researchers, SMEs, financial institutions and civil society.
Participants share experiences, explore opportunities and collaborate on strategies to drive industrialisation and economic transformation.
Businesses can network with regional partners, learn about industry trends and explore investment opportunities.
Policymakers can share best practices and develop regional industrialisation strategies. All attendees gain valuable insights on fostering economic transformation.
With 150 companies from the Sadc region expected to participate in the Seventh Annual Sadc Industrialisation Week, this presents a perfect opportunity for local authorities in Zimbabwe to leverage innovation and contribute to achieving Vision 2030 goals.
Speaking on the side-lines of a three-day workshop organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently in Bulawayo, Mrs Elina Karwi who is the director for strategic policy planning, monitoring and evaluation in the ministry, urged local authorities to capitalise on the Seventh Sadc Industrialisation Week (SIW) by exploring opportunities to market their areas of jurisdiction.
She said the SIW presents enormous opportunities for local authorities, particularly given the “Call to Action — No Compromise to Service Delivery” blueprint launched by President Mnangagwa last year.
“Our local authorities must think outside the box and grab this huge opportunity when the country hosts the SIW. If there is a need for local authorities to be slotted in, we will not hesitate to engage the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
“Local authorities should be present and take advantage of the opportunities that will be available. With many countries participating, there will be exhibitions showcasing regional opportunities. We want our local authorities to be involved and learn about these opportunities,” she said.
It is clear from Mrs Karwi’s call that at the SIW, local authorities can participate in exhibitions and conferences to showcase their jurisdictions as attractive investment destinations. They can highlight resources, infrastructure and investment incentives to attract regional businesses aligned with Vision 2030’s economic diversification goals.
They can also use the SIW as a platform to connect with regional businesses and potential investors. This can lead to partnerships, joint ventures and increased investment in local industries, creating jobs and boosting economic growth.
The Urban Councils’ Association of Zimbabwe (Ucaz) secretary general, Mr Livison Mutekede, said SIW was also an opportunity for local authorities to incorporate regional development goals into their programming and planning.
“This is an opportunity for local authorities to incorporate the region’s development goals into their programming and planning.
“We are supporting our members to fully understand the region’s expectations of them as development facilitators. As development agents, local authorities also have a role to play in promoting regional trade and development,” Mr Mutekede said.
He said local authorities have a crucial role in ensuring industrialisation begins at the grassroots level.
“With existing supportive legislation, they are uniquely positioned to lead this effort. It is essential that they seize this opportunity and actively participate in the Sadc Industrialisation Week,” he said.
As development agents, local authorities have a unique opportunity to leverage innovation in line with the SIW theme.
By establishing or supporting innovation hubs and incubators, they can provide start-ups and entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship and co-working spaces they need to thrive. This fosters a culture of innovation within their jurisdictions and helps develop businesses aligned with
Vision 2030’s economic priorities, propelling Zimbabwe towards a more prosperous and sustainable future.
They can develop and offer training programmes focused on emerging technologies and skills needed for the jobs of the future. This ensures a skilled workforce ready to contribute to an innovative and technology-driven economy as envisioned in Vision 2030.
Local authorities can also partner with private companies and research institutions to promote research and development in critical sectors like agriculture, manufacturing and renewable energy.
This fosters innovation that can address local challenges and support sustainable economic growth, aligning with Vision 2030’s goals.
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