Herald Reporter
NEW priorities have been set by the Government under the forthcoming National Development Strategy 2, which will focus on driving Zimbabwe’s transformation from economic stabilisation to industrialisation, value addition and inclusive growth. This marks the next phase towards achieving an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said NDS2 (2026–2030) will consolidate the gains achieved under NDS1 and build a more resilient, productive and competitive economy anchored on stability, innovation and good governance.
Speaking during the ministry’s 2026–2030 strategic planning workshop in Mutare last Thursday, Prof Ncube said NDS1 had delivered tangible progress across most sectors, laying the foundation for deeper reforms and sustained growth.
He said under NDS2, the Government will intensify the economic reform agenda by focusing on five key priorities: fiscal consolidation and stability, industrialisation and value addition, domestic resource mobilisation, innovation and digitalisation, institutional effectiveness and good governance.
“As we prepare for NDS2 (2026-2030), our focus must shift from stabilisation to structural transformation,” said Prof Ncube.
“NDS2 must deepen the reform agenda and drive inclusive growth under the following strategic imperatives: strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, enhance expenditure efficiency and broaden the tax base to support inclusive development; promote innovation, technology adoption and local value chains to enhance productivity and exports. Modernise public enterprises, digitalise public finance management and entrench accountability.”
Prof Ncube said sustaining macro-economic stability remains a top priority under NDS2.
Fiscal discipline, exchange rate stability and sound monetary policy will be essential to maintain investor confidence and create a predictable environment for business.
He added: “We must focus on 10 national priorities that deliver food security, infrastructure, industrialisation, human capital development and investment facilitation as central pillars; ensure the 2026 Budget amplifies public investments that catalyse private sector activity and crowd-in finance for infrastructure and value chains; rebalancing budgets towards a catalytic capital expenditure with clear value for money frameworks and strengthen procurement oversight.
“These priorities align with Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 framework, emphasising transformation through innovation, integration and sustainable governance.”
Another core focus of NDS2 will be industrialisation, value addition and local value chain development.
Prof Ncube said Zimbabwe must move from being a predominantly raw-material exporter to a producer of finished goods, thereby creating more jobs and boosting exports.
This shift is expected to strengthen manufacturing, agro-processing and mining beneficiation, positioning Zimbabwe as a regional hub for value-added exports and industrial products.
Under NDS2, Government will expand its domestic resource base through improved tax administration, formalisation of the informal sector and leveraging natural resources.
The goal is to reduce overreliance on external borrowing while ensuring that national budgets are financed primarily from internal resources.
Prof Ncube described NDS1 (2021–2025) as a “resounding success”, noting significant achievements in infrastructure development, agriculture, mining and fiscal reforms.
“Our macro-economic fundamentals have shown resilience, with GDP growth averaging above five percent between 2021 and 2024, amid moderate inflationary pressures and fiscal consolidation efforts that yielded improved expenditure discipline,” he said.
“Infrastructure development accelerated, the agricultural sector recorded bumper harvests and mining investment reached record levels.
“Policy coherence in fiscal planning and alignment with Vision 2030 created measurable improvements in macro-framework stability and planning discipline.”
Prof Ncube noted that a structured monitoring and evaluation framework and the mid-term review of NDS1 helped Government identify policy gaps and implement corrective measures in real time.
“A structured monitoring and evaluation system, and comprehensive Mid-Term Review provided critical course-corrections and evidence to guide policy decisions.
“Progress under NDS1, 14 thematic areas delivered improvements in public investment planning, priority infrastructure projects and a stronger policy consensus around investment promotion and export growth.
“However, we are diligently working to ensure exchange rate stability and manage climate shocks, address limited industrial competitiveness and governance inefficiencies in some public enterprises.”
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