Zim’s green revolution creates 3 000 jobs

ZIMBABWE has recorded significant strides in waste management and green economy initiatives, with recycling hubs now established in all ten provinces under a circular economy model that is turning trash into cash and generating over 3 000 green jobs, particularly for women and youths.

This development was revealed by the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Dr Evelyn Ndlovu in an interview with Zimpapers on the sidelines of the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.

Dr Ndlovu said the transformation of solid waste management through the adoption of a circular economy approach has been a standout achievement under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

“Looking at waste management and green economy initiatives, I start by highlighting that some strides have been made in solid waste management, which has been transformed through adoption of the circular economy approach, which promotes resource efficiency through waste minimisation, reuse, recycling, re-purposing, up-cycling and related strategies

“Recycling hubs aimed to turn trash into cash have been established in all ten provinces, and have since generated over 3 000 green jobs, particularly for women and youths,” said Dr Ndlovu.

The Minister highlighted flagship projects already demonstrating the model’s viability, including the Mabvuku Integrated Waste Resources Plant and the Geo-Pomona Waste to Energy Project, which she said evolved from a dumpsite into a world-class energy park facility.

The circular economy model marks a fundamental shift from the traditional linear take-make-dispose approach, embedding resource efficiency into local governance and community enterprise.

Across the 10 provinces, recycling hubs now serve as collection and processing centres where waste plastics, paper, metals and organics are converted into valuable commodities.

Dr Ndlovu also noted that a Low Emission Development Strategy has been developed to guide the country’s pathway towards a green economy, embedding climate resilience into national planning.

Beyond waste management, the Minister outlined broader environmental gains achieved under NDS1, including strengthened policy and legislative reforms.

“Let me begin by highlighting some of the achievements that my ministry attained under the NDS1. I’m glad to say that Zimbabwe has significantly strengthened environmental protection and wildlife conservation through a combination of policy and legislative reforms, institutional strengthening, and community participation,” she said.

Dr Ndlovu confirmed that the Parks and Wildlife Act (CAP 20:14) amendment was approved in November 2025, operationalising the Human-Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund to compensate citizens affected by wildlife encounters. Public awareness campaigns have since begun in Harare and will roll out to all provinces.

The Minister also revealed that the Third National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 3) was approved by Cabinet on March 3, 2026, integrating biodiversity into national development planning and aligning Zimbabwe with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

On forestry, Dr Ndlovu said over 20 million trees had been planted under the Presidential Forest Legacy Programme, the First Lady’s nationwide campaigns, and the Diplomatic Green Legacy Initiative.

The Government has also scaled up wetland rehabilitation, with 15 wetland cores restored and protected nationwide, including Malilangombe in Matabeleland South and Guga in Lupane.

Statutory instruments banning destructive riverbed mining and regulating Zimbabwe’s carbon market have been introduced, alongside the establishment of a blockchain-based carbon registry and the Zimbabwe Carbon Markets Authority.

As the country transitions into the next development phase, the Minister said the momentum on circular economy and green job creation would be sustained, positioning Zimbabwe as a regional leader in sustainable development.