NDS2 to deliver rapid growth beyond 2030 — Professor Ncube

THE Government is confident that the successful rollout of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) will not only lead to the attainment of Vision 2030 targets but also deliver a solid foundation for the post-2030 growth in line with the projected demographic changes.

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said this as he outlined the outlook beyond Vision 2030, emphasising the need to gear up for massive demographic and structural shifts.

Estimates suggest the country’s population could hit about 26 million by 2050, a 70 percent jump, with nearly 60 percent of that being youths, said Prof Ncube, hence the need for forward-looking planning.

He made the remarks in his elaborate address at a high-level academia-industry engagement held in Bulawayo last Friday, where he outlined measures to accelerate industrialisation and drive inclusive growth.

The engagement ran under the theme: “Aligning the 2026 Budget with National Development Strategy 2 for Inclusive Growth and Vision 2030.”

Prof Ncube said the Government was already looking beyond Vision 2030 to ensure that the country is adequately prepared for rapid urbanisation, technological change and population growth.

“In the outlook beyond Vision 2030, we need to gear up for massive demographic and structural shifts.

Our population will hit about 26 million by 2050, a 70 percent jump, with nearly 60 percent of that being youths,” he said.

“That’s a huge demographic dividend, but it will ramp up demand for education, healthcare, housing, energy, transport and more, especially as urban areas may more than double to 15 million people.

“Harare, Bulawayo, and smaller towns will boom, so we need smart, integrated planning to keep infrastructure ahead.

“In addition, our developmental path has to centre on a knowledge-driven policy, an innovative economy powered by tech-savvy youths. We will push digital infrastructure, modern education, and hubs for STEM, AI, renewables and digital services, while keeping agriculture strong through secure titles, mechanisation and irrigation,” said the minister.

“You will see Bulawayo and Figtree getting closer together in development. Even Esigodini may start growing in this direction, or Bulawayo going in the direction of Esigodini following the transport corridor. So, urbanisation is going to increase,” he said.

“But also, you will see that 65 percent of the population will be under 35 years of age. The uptake of technology is going to be even faster. We are in the AI era and beyond AI, I do not know what’s beyond, but there will be something beyond AI.

“So, as we think about implementing NDS2, we are also taking into account these kinds of developments well beyond NDS2 and setting the base to be ready then and be able to support this kind of growth against a growth rate of say five percent by year 2050.”

In that regard, Prof Ncube said the role of NDS2 is to create a base for the post-2030 era and that is where Zimbabwe under the Second Republic is going.

He said the growth trajectory chosen today would determine the country’s socio-economic standing by mid-century.

“The choices we make now will shape 2050. Sticking to 5 percent growth means modest gains; shifting our gears to 7,5 percent growth on average will lift incomes and the middle class.

“But 10 percent unlocks industrialisation, better social outcomes and over $500 billion in the economy.

It demands bold moves, macro stability, infrastructure, private-sector growth, digitalisation and human capital to build a prosperous, inclusive Zimbabwe.”

Prof Ncube called on academia, industry and Government to work collectively in shaping Zimbabwe’s future.

“As students, lecturers and leaders in business and industry, you each have an important role to play in shaping the country’s future. The task of building our nation calls for the collective effort of academia, Government and the private sector alike.

“I, therefore, urge all of us to commit our knowledge, skills and innovation to this shared national endeavour, working together to drive the transformation and sustainable growth that Zimbabwe requires,” said Prof Ncube.