Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Bureau
THE Government has made significant progress in putting together the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), with consultations and thematic groundwork for the economic blueprint nearing completion.
The comprehensive document, a successor to the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) is set to be launched by President Mnangagwa in October and is expected to give the country economic direction from 2026 to 2030.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Mr George Guvamatanga, told Zimpapers that key milestones have already been achieved, with the final process scheduled to be completed by September 20.
“The Government is going to host a workshop for the purpose of reviewing and consolidating National Development Strategy (NDS1) targets and achievements.
This will be communicated to all stakeholders once the modalities for the workshop have been finalised,” he said.
Mr Guvamatanga said Government teams are diligently reviewing NDS1’s impact while shaping NDS2, which will steer the country’s development priorities from 2026 onwards.
“High-level stakeholder consultations to map the thematic topics for NDS2 have been conducted and priority areas have been identified. The appointment of thematic working group chairs and co-chairs has been completed,” he said.
NDS1, implemented from 2021 to 2025, focused on driving growth in agriculture, mining, infrastructure, social services, digital transformation and economic stabilisation. NDS2 is expected to build on these achievements while introducing new approaches to accelerate inclusive and sustainable development.
“Our teams are working diligently to ensure we take stock of the notable achievements under NDS1 while also making sure that the forthcoming NDS2 is on track, as it will provide direction to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the private sector and our co-operating partners on the Government’s development agenda,” said Mr Guvamatanga.
Under the NDS1, the Government registered notable progress across several pillars, which include infrastructure and utilities, digital economy, food security, economic growth and stability, social protection and human capital and governance and engagement.
On the infrastructure and utilities pillar, the Government implemented projects that focused on the provision of road and aviation networks and utilities such as water and electricity.
They include the expansion and construction of a new VVIP Pavilion at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, the Hwange Unit 7 and 8 expansion project in Matabeleland North Province and the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road upgrade.
Others are the Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Road rehabilitation, the repair of more than 2 000 boreholes across the country and the drilling of 3 528 boreholes under the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme.
Additional projects include the Trabablas Interchange construction project, the Harare-Kanyemba Road construction, the Great Zimbabwe 5MW Hydro Power Station in Masvingo, and construction of New Parliament Building as well as access roads in Harare, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central provinces.
Under the digital economy pillar, the Government invested in expanding ICT infrastructure, promoting digital literacy and supporting technology start-ups.
The start-ups include the Media and Communication Policy, the National E-learning Strategy, which saw the computerisation of 1 000 schools to bridge the rural-urban divide, the National ICT Policy launch, the Artificial Intelligence Strategy approval, the licensing of Starlink, electronic passports for citizens in Harare, Guruve, Murehwa, Lupane, Beitbridge, Zvishavane, Marondera and Gweru, among others.
On the food security and nutrition pillar, many projects including dams were constructed to climate-proof agriculture while irrigation rehabilitation and accelerated dam construction across the country was also undertaken to boost food security.
Dams such as Kunzvi in Mashonaland East, Muchekeranwa Dam on the border of Mashonaland East and Manicaland, Tugwi-Mukosi in Masvingo, Semwa in Mashonaland Central and Lake Gwayi-Shangani in Matabeleland North have been constructed and some are complete and already transforming lives while others are at various levels of completion.
On the economic growth and stability pillar, the Government initiated many programmes such as the debt and arrears clearance programme, tamed inflation and introduced a gold-backed currency, among others.
Regarding image building and the engagement and re-engagement programme, the Government rehabilitated infrastructure in foreign missions and installed broadcasting infrastructure, which is critical for enhancing Government’s image and improved economic diplomacy.
On the social protection pillar, the Government focused on the protection of individuals and communities from poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion.
In terms of governance and engagement, there was the construction of magistrate courts and the implementation and operationalisation of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System, among others.
On housing delivery, the Government constructed affordable and decent houses across the country for civil servants.
In terms of human capital development and innovation, learners were prepared to become socially and economically empowered through quality and innovation education.
Under Youth, Sports and Culture, emphasis was on fighting socio-economic ills that include drug and substance abuse as well as unemployment.
