Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – The country`s policy frameworks should promote structural economic transformation encompassing industrialisation, job creation and poverty alleviation, a senior government official has said.
Ministry of Finance and Investment Promotions, Deputy Minister, Kudakwashe Mnangagwa said this on Wednesday while officiating at the fourth edition of the Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference (ZEDCON 2025) at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
“As a nation, it is critical that our policy frameworks actively promote structural economic transformation encompassing industrialisation, job creation and poverty alleviation. “Our research and academic institutions must be integral partners in this endeavour, contributing actionable and feasible insights derived from rigorous academic and empirical studies,” he said.
Mnangagwa said this year`s conference is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the upcoming National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) which will guide economic policy from 2026 to 2030. He said that sectoral policies were pivotal in catalysing economic growth and sustainable development.
“Given the essential linkages between sectoral and national development policies, it is important to identify and nurture sectors with high growth potential while aligning these sectors with our broader national development goals,” he said.
He said the specific goals of ZEDCON is to promote knowledge management as a driver of informed policy dialogue, planning, and implementation. “Other objectives include fostering exchange of ideas and innovative thinking among researchers, development practitioners, policymakers, the private sector, and government.
Encourage evidence-based research on economic and policy issues affecting our economic advancement and create platforms for young researchers, the diaspora, and private entities to share vital knowledge with policymakers,” he said.
Mnangagwa said policymakers and practitioners from academia will present insights and evidence-based approaches to navigating Zimbabwe’s transformation journey, addressing immediate challenges, while unlocking future economic opportunities.
“We will also benefit from commentary by industry leaders, sector specialists, bankers, SME`s representatives, development partners and all present stakeholders. “The conference, therefore, offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore, exchange, and adapt best practices in implementing effective macroeconomic and sectoral policies, particularly in the context of the upcoming National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), currently under preparation as we march steadily towards Vision 2030,” he said.
Mnangagwa also said focus will be placed on diaspora investment policies, regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area and harnessing their potential to drive sustained economic transformation.
The conference, which is running from September 17-19, is being held under the theme, “Macroeconomic and Sectoral Policies for Broad-Based Economic Transformation.” The theme reflects the urgent need to explore innovative and practical strategies for implementing macroeconomic and sectoral policies that will drive broad-based economic transformation in our dynamic and ever-evolving global economic environment.
The event brings together policymakers, the private sector, academia, civil society, development partners, and the media to examine pathways towards achieving broad-based economic transformation.
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