Online Reporter
Good day Zimbabwe!
Today we are coming to you live from New Parliament building in Mount Hampden where President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to deliver the State of the Nation Address this afternoon.
This significant event also marks the official opening of the Third Session of the 10th Parliament, and the President is expected to outline key initiatives and strategies that will shape Zimbabwe’s economic future.
As the nation waits for the President’s remarks, he is poised to deliver insights on the Government’s vision for economic growth and development, particularly as part of the forthcoming National Development Strategy 2.
Join us as we bring you live updates, expert analysis, and public reactions throughout the address.
Stay tuned as we explore the critical issues that will shape Zimbabwe’s path forward.
Analysts anticipate forward-looking SONA
Political analyst Mr Dereck Goto anticipates that the President will set a forward-looking agenda rooted in the successes of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“NDS1 has stabilized critical aspects of the economy, enhanced energy supply, accelerated trunk road rehabilitation, modernized the Beitbridge Border Post, strengthened food security through wheat self-sufficiency, and promoted value addition in mining and steel.
“When the State provides the necessary infrastructure and policy certainty, private investment flourishes, leading to job creation.”
Another analyst, Mr Goodwine Mureriwa expects the President to address developments across various economic sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and mining.
“With the arrival of the rains and a promising agricultural season ahead, I anticipate the President, a dedicated farmer himself, will encourage the nation to harness the land to enhance food security and drive economic progress.
“His address should also cover advancements in other sectors such as tourism, which has experienced remarkable growth, with Zimbabwe being named the best country to visit in 2025 by Forbes magazine.
“On the international stage, l also hope President Mnangagwa will continue his approach of fostering friendly relations, emphasising that Zimbabwe should be a friend to all and an adversary to none.”
South Africa-based economic analyst Mr Chris Mutizwa said the SONA should reinforce macroeconomic stability.
“The address should thus focus on consolidating macroeconomic stability, promoting devolution, and attracting further investment into productive sectors.
“I expect the President to highlight the country’s achievements, including currency and price stability driven by disciplined fiscal management, export growth, and the ongoing development of the Zimbabwe Investment Governance (ZiG) framework,” he stated.
Legislative agenda to be unveiled
The President will address a joint sitting of both the National Assembly and Senate, with his SONA reflecting on the country’s achievements over the past year.
President Mnangagwa will also table Bills that are up for debate in the coming session. These include the:
Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill
Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council Amendment Bill
Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Amendment Bill
Medical Services Amendment Bill
Pipelines Amendment Bill
Climate Change Management Amendment Bill, among others
President fulfils constitutional requirement
President Mnangagwa’s address today is in compliance with Section 140 (4) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which reads: “At least once a year, the President must address a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on the state of the nation and the Speaker and the President of Senate must make the necessary arrangements for Parliament to receive such an address.”
Today’s official opening will also be attended by Zanu PF Politburo members, diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe and captains of industry.
Legislators have already started trickling into the Chamber to take their seats ahead of the President’s address.
High Court, Supreme Court judges in attendance
A procession of High Court and Supreme Court Judges has walked into the National Assembly Chamber, the venue of a State of the Nation Address by President Mnangagwa.
Cabinet Ministers have also started walking into the Chamber.
SONA expected to address pensioners and civil servants’ welfare: Legislators
President Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address this afternoon is expected to highlight measures to improve the welfare of civil servants and pensioners.
This came out in separate interviews with some legislators ahead of the event.
While Government has implemented various measures to improve the welfare of civil servants and pensioners, parliamentarians said they expect the President to give more policy direction on the issue in his address.
Other issues raised by the legislators include measures to enhance women and youth empowerment to increase their participation in the economy.
In his SONA, President Mnangagwa will also set the legislative agenda that will guide the enactment of laws.
Parade mounted by ZDF members waiting ahead of President Mnangagwa’s arrrival
Legislators officially notified of President’s SONA
Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda and Senate President, Cde Marble Chinomona have officially notified legislators that President Mnangagwa will deliver a State of the Nation Address.
Presiding Officers cited the relevant Section of the Constitution which give rise to the address.
Upon notifying the legislators, business for both Houses was suspended until the arrival the President’s arrival in the Chamber.
Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi has arrived at New Parliament Building ahead of the SONA
Vice President, Dr Kembo Mohadi is now in the National Assembly Chamber on time for President Mnangagwa’s address.
He received a standing ovation, with legislators screening “Dr” in recognition of the Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree that was conferred on him by Great Zimbabwe University last week.
Dr Mohadi was capped by President Mnangagwa, who is also Chancellor of all State Universities, during a graduation ceremony at the university.
President now at Parliament Building for SONA
President Mnangagwa is now inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.
He is set to deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA) and officially open the Third Session of the 10th Parliament in the next few minutes.
Proceedings begin in National Assembly
President Mnangagwa’s 2025 SONA
President highlights national development initiatives, makes growth projections
The President is now on the podium to deliver his SONA. Below are the key highlights from the President’s SONA.
The national economy is projected to grow by 6.6% in 2025, anchored on the recovery in the agricultural sector, with record harvests of tobacco, maize and wheat, among other crops. These are a result of the implementation of the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation 3 Strategy.
The livestock sector continues to grow, with the national herd now at 5.7 million; while milk production has increased from 76.7 million litres in 2019 to 115 million litres in 2024.
The area under irrigation has expanded from 151 000 hectares in 2019 to 221 000 hectares in 2024. We are well on course to reach our target of 496 000 hectares.
Modernisation of the Grain Marketing Board is ongoing, in line with new technologies, with the construction of 14 new Artifi cial Intelligence driven silo sites, resulting in an additional 750 000 tonnes of storage capacity.
The accelerated issuance of bankable and registrable title deeds for A1 and A2 farmers, as well as Deeds of Grant for previously African Purchase Areas is set to have transformational impacts in our agricultural sector.
The mining sector has witnessed increased investments in gold, lithium, iron and steel production.
The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill has been gazetted and is expected to be fi nalised during the current session of Parliament.
Since his last address, the manufacturing sector registered a 15.3% contribution to GDP. The success is attributable to significant investments in the steel, cement, dairy, cotton-to-clothing, and pharmaceutical value chains, among others.
Government has reviewed licences, permits, levies and fees as well as the multiple regulatory requirements across all sectors to enhance the country’s ease of doing business, reduction of costs and the competitiveness of the local industry. The respective Statutory Instruments and statutes will be accordingly amended.
Tourism is emerging as a critical pillar in our nation’s economic transformation. The sector’s solid performance has received global recognition, with Zimbabwe being recently awarded the Best Must-Visit Destination in the World accolade by Forbes Magazine.
the country continues to enjoy adequate fuel supplies, benefitting from upgrading of the pipeline capacity to 3 billion litres per annum. Pipeline capacity will be further upgraded to handle 5 billion litres per annum.
Completion, rehabilitation and upgrading of the HarareChirundu Road; Christmas Pass by-pass; Bulawayo – Victoria Falls Road; Chirundu Border Post; and Forbes Border Post, remain top priority. The construction of other road infrastructure, such as, interchanges at strategic points in our cities, are on the cards.
The country’s foreign currency generation capacity continues to strengthen. Infl ows stood at US$10.4 billion as of August 2025, an upward increase of 26.8%, from the US$8.3 billion recorded during the same period, in 2024. Consequently, foreign currency reserves increased to about US$900 million as at the end of September 2025, up from US$700 million in June 2025.
In recognition of this effort, the World Bank recently ranked Zimbabwe fi rst among the top 10 countries in the world that have made significant progress in foreign currency reserve accumulation.
Government is providing welfare services to Veterans of the Liberation Struggle, Heroes’ Dependents and War Victims, as well as empowering all categories of Veterans to fully participate in the economy and guarantee their welfare.
Government will continue with the programme to cater for food insecure households. The ZANU PF led Government will also continue with harmonised Social-Cash-Transfers to increase the purchasing power of vulnerable groups.
