Antony Chawagarira
HARARE — Members of the National Assembly and Senate have welcomed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), highlighting progress in infrastructure development, energy, mineral beneficiation and efforts to strengthen the economy.
President Mnangagwa delivered the address at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden while officially opening the Fourth Session of the 10th Parliament, outlining the Government’s development priorities and legislative agenda for the new session.
Among the issues highlighted was the planned expansion of Zimbabwe’s aviation sector, with two additional international airlines expected to commence operations in 2027, alongside the upgrading of Kariba Airport and the expansion of cargo-handling facilities at Victoria Falls and J.M. Nkomo International Airports.
President Mnangagwa also said electricity supply had improved through generation from the Kariba and Hwange power stations, independent power producers, captive power plants and rooftop solar installations, while rural electrification continued to expand.
The President further highlighted progress in mineral beneficiation, noting that Zimbabwe had produced lithium sulphate locally for the first time, with additional plants being established to strengthen the country’s position in the lithium value chain.
Chivi North legislator Godfrey Huruva Mukungunugwa said the address provided Parliament with a clear picture of the country’s development trajectory and underscored the need for legislators to remain focused on programmes that improve the livelihoods of communities.
He said developments in energy, infrastructure, agriculture and mineral beneficiation were particularly important to constituencies such as Chivi North, where communities were looking for increased economic opportunities.
“The SONA has given us a clear direction on where the country is going and what is expected from us as legislators. Our responsibility is to take these national programmes to our constituencies and ensure that communities benefit from the development taking place,” said Mukungunugwa.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Province proportional representation legislator Samukheliso Maseko said the address highlighted the importance of inclusive development and continued investment in sectors that directly affect citizens.
She said Parliament had an important role to play in supporting legislation that creates an enabling environment for economic activity while ensuring that development reaches communities across the country.
The ZANU PF Chief Whip and Gutu South legislator also welcomed the President’s call for Parliament to use the new session to accelerate transformational development, saying lawmakers had a responsibility to translate national policies into tangible results.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube said the economic developments outlined in the address were significant, particularly the continued maintenance of single-digit inflation and increased foreign currency inflows.
Zimbabwe recorded US$10.7 billion in foreign currency inflows during the first half of 2026, with the Government projecting the figure to reach US$20 billion by the end of the year.
Senator Kudakwashe Tagwireyi also joined fellow legislators in reflecting on the President’s address, which placed emphasis on economic transformation, investment and the utilisation of Zimbabwe’s natural resources for national development.
The SONA also set out the legislative programme for the Fourth Session of the 10th Parliament, with President Mnangagwa calling on lawmakers to intensify development efforts across all sectors.
“The journey continues. Much work lies ahead. Let us leverage this Fourth Session of the 10th Parliament to reaffirm our commitment to scale up transformational results in all sectors of the economy and levels of society,” President Mnangagwa said.
He said the Government would continue creating a transparent, responsive and predictable environment while ensuring that national wealth translates into sustainable prosperity for Zimbabweans.
“The bold decisions of my Government to guarantee that our country’s wealth delivers sustainable prosperity for all, and development that leaves no one and no place behind, are here to stay,” he said.
The proceedings also witnessed an unusual moment when legislators from both ruling and opposition parties were seen singing and chanting together after the address, including the chant, “Ngavarambe Vachingotonga.”
The moment provided a rare display of unity among members of the two political divides during the parliamentary proceedings.
President Mnangagwa urged elected leaders, entrepreneurs, women, young people, traditional leaders and communities to work together to advance national development and realise the objectives of Vision 2030.
