Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure-Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZANU PF, through its Government, is in the process of developing the National Development Strategy 2, which will run from 2026 to 2030, following the successful implementation of the National Development Strategy 1 (2020 to 2025).
This was stated by the party’s Secretary for Economic Affairs, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Engelbert Rugeje.
NDS-2 is a strategic plan designed to guide the country’s development programmes from 2026 to 2030, building on the successes of NDS 1.
Speaking on behalf of Cde Rugeje at a National Budget consultation meeting in Harare yesterday, his deputy, Cde Endy Mhlanga, outlined that the strategy aims to drive sustainable economic development, promote industrialisation and enhance the country’s resilience to climate change.
“The second phase of the development plan seeks to attain the following 10 National Priority Thematic Proposals to shape and design the execution of NDS-2 in line with the aspirations of Vision 2030,” said Cde Rugeje.
The NDS 2 priority pillars include Macro-Economic Stability and Financial Sector Deepening, Inclusive Economic Growth and Structural Transformation, Infrastructure Development and Housing and Food Security, among others.
As the year 2025 draws to a close, Cde Rugeje emphasised the importance of consolidating the gains made thus far in macroeconomic stability, anchored on a strong, reliable and stable currency — the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) — which has remained stable against all odds.
He stated that Zimbabwe’s monetary policy framework has decisively shifted the national narrative from a chapter of high inflation to a new era of economic stability, much to the astonishment of the country’s detractors.
“The party must continue to lead in aggressive campaigns to promote the use and acceptance of the ZiG, including in remote areas of our country,” he said. “This remarkable resilience is not just a statistic; it is a bold testament to the visionary, decisive and unwavering leadership of President Mnangagwa.”
Cde Rugeje praised President Mnangagwa for crafting and executing transformative economic policies that are stabilising the economy and redefining its trajectory. “He has walked the talk, staying on course with unmatched determination to anchor price, currency and exchange rate stability.”
Furthermore, he described the introduction of the structured currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), in April 2024 as a masterstroke of economic leadership, ushering in a new era of confidence, control and national pride.
As the year closes, programmes will primarily focus on preparations for the 2026 National Budget, which must strike a balance between sustainable economic growth, infrastructural development and improved livelihoods, in line with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030.
The 2026 National Budget, according to Cde Rugeje, must promote the ease of doing business and attract more domestic and foreign investment into the country.
“More importantly, the Department of Economic Affairs will lead and coordinate the party’s familiarisation and awareness programmes for the NDS 2,” he added.
The meeting, which included the business community and SMEs, sought proposals for the 2026 National Budget from key stakeholders for consideration by the Government through the Treasury.
Cde Rugeje highlighted that under President Mnangagwa’s visionary leadership, Zimbabwe is now the fifth-largest economy in Southern Africa, with a GDP of US$44.4 billion, up from US$35.2 billion. This growth is attributed mainly to the inclusion of previously unrecorded economic activities, especially in the informal sector and newly established businesses.
The revised GDP figures position Zimbabwe as the fifth-largest economy in the region, behind only South Africa (US$400 billion), Angola (US$115 billion), Tanzania (US$80 billion) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (US$71 billion), based on 2024 projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This highlights years of silent growth that had gone unaccounted for and signals renewed momentum in Zimbabwe’s economic recovery.
The 2026 Budget Consultative meeting was attended by war veterans, business leaders, small to medium enterprises and miners, among others.
