Online Reporter
Herald Correspondent
Government has launched the 2025/26 Zimbabwe Social Registry Survey (ZISO) in a move aimed at strengthening social protection systems and improving the targeting of vulnerable households.
The survey, which was launched in Nkayi District, Matabeleland North Province yesterday, is being conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
It will collect detailed household-level data that will form the basis of a comprehensive national social registry.
The exercise began with a census of households in Nkayi before expanding to all 65 districts across the country, starting with areas identified as most vulnerable.
In a statement, ZIMSTAT Director-General Mrs Tafadzwa Bandama, said the social registry will play a critical role in strengthening the country’s social protection systems and supporting inclusive development.
“The Social Registry is a key instrument in strengthening social protection, poverty reduction and inclusive development in Zimbabwe. It will serve as a unified data and information system to support the planning, implementation and monitoring of social protection and social development programmes,” she said.
Mrs Bandama said the registry will help Government and its partners identify households more accurately for potential social protection and development interventions.
She said it will also enhance fairness and transparency in targeting beneficiaries while reducing duplication and leakages in social programmes.
“The Social Registry will enable the Government and its partners to identify households more accurately for potential social protection and development interventions while enhancing fairness and transparency in targeting,” said Mrs Bandama.
She said the registry will also promote coordination among Government ministries, departments and agencies as well as development partners through a common data source.
The survey will gather data on key socio-economic indicators, including demographics, education, employment, housing, land ownership, access to services, economic activities and household vulnerabilities.
Mrs Bandama said the information collected will contribute to improved service delivery and stronger social safety nets.
“This information will directly contribute to improved service delivery, strengthened social safety nets and support Zimbabwe’s progress towards Vision 2030,” she said.
The objectives of the survey include establishing a comprehensive national social registry to support social protection initiatives, enhancing coordination in social development programming, and providing updated socio-economic data for evidence-based policy making.
The survey will also strengthen transparency and accountability in programme delivery while enabling rapid response mechanisms during shocks such as drought and economic crises.
Mrs Bandama urged households to cooperate with enumerators during the data collection exercise.
“The credibility and success of this national initiative and the effectiveness of Zimbabwe’s social protection programmes depend on the active participation of every household,” she said.
The survey is being implemented with technical and financial support from the Government of Zimbabwe and development partners including the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK), European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and the World Bank, working in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The initiative is being led by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in line with the National Social Protection Policy Framework.
