Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
The National Development Strategy 2 will focus on accelerating industrialisation, digital transformation and innovation-driven growth, a Cabinet minister has said.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Frederick Shava, who was represented by his Deputy, Simelisizwe Sibanda, said this in a speech read on his behalf during the official opening of the Women in Science, Technology and Innovation conference in Harare last week.
This year’s conference was held under the theme “Advancing Women’s Contributions to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics towards Sustainable Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Vision 2030.”
Dr Shava said the theme resonates with Zimbabwe’s national development trajectory, which seeks to transform the country into a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society, will depend significantly on harnessing talents, creativity and innovations of women in science and technology.
“Under the leadership of His Excellency, the Second Republic has placed science, technology and innovation at the centre of national development, recognising that the prosperity of our nation will increasingly depend on the strength of our knowledge economy,” he said.
“As we advance towards Vision 2030, Zimbabwe cannot afford to leave women, who constitute the majority of its human capital behind.
“Women represent a significant share of our national talent. Ensuring their full participation in science and innovation is therefore not only a matter of inclusion, but also a matter of national competitiveness and economic transformation.
“A knowledge-based economy requires the contributions of all our scientists, engineers, innovators and entrepreneurs.”
Dr Shava said the ministry continues to implement the Education 5.0 model, which expands the traditional mandate of universities beyond teaching, research and community service to include innovation and industrialisation.
“Through this model, we are ensuring that knowledge generated within our institutions translates into goods, services and enterprises that contribute directly to national development,” he said.
“This is why our universities today host innovation hubs and industrial parks, where ideas are transformed into practical solutions that address national challenges. Women scientists and innovators must be central participants in this ecosystem.”
Reflecting on past progress, he said Zimbabwe has successfully implemented National Development Strategy 1, which laid the foundation for macroeconomic stability and strengthened the infrastructure for research and innovation across institutions of higher learning.
“As we now move into National Development Strategy 2 for the period 2026 to 2030, our focus shifts towards accelerating industrialisation, digital transformation and innovation-driven growth. Achieving these national objectives requires the full participation of our women scientists and innovators,” he said.
Dr Shava stressed Zimbabwe’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in science and technology.
“In June 2025, our country hosted the signing of the SADC Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Charter, reaffirming our commitment to advancing women in technical disciplines across the region. Platforms such as the Women in STEM Conference will continue to support this regional agenda by promoting knowledge exchange and partnerships among women scientists across the SADC region and beyond,” he said.
He said building a strong pipeline of women scientists begins with expanding access to education.
The conference offers valuable opportunities for engagement, including innovation pitch sessions for women entrepreneurs, discussions on science, innovation and health, workshops on grant writing and entrepreneurship, and mentorship sessions linking experienced scientists with emerging researchers.
