Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe has begun a comprehensive review of its National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS III), marking a significant step towards strengthening the country’s statistical system and preparing for the next phase of data-driven national development.
Speaking at a workshop convened to validate the NSDS III End-Term Evaluation and assess the country’s National Data Ecosystem in the capital on Wednesday, the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) director general, Tafadzwa Bandama, reminded stakeholders of the critical role that reliable statistics play in shaping effective governance and sustainable development.
“The National Strategy for the Development of Statistics serves as the blueprint for the development and coordination of our National Statistical Ecosystem. NSDS III was designed to improve the availability, quality, accessibility and use of official statistics in support of national development priorities and international commitments.
As we come to the end of its implementation period, it is both necessary and prudent to reflect on the progress made, the challenges encountered, and lessons learnt,” said Bandama.
As the implementation period of NSDS III comes to an end, Bandama said government and statistical stakeholders are taking stock of achievements made, challenges encountered and lessons learned over the life of the strategy.
She said the workshop has two key objectives, with the first being to validate the findings and recommendations of the NSDS III End-Term Evaluation, ensuring that the conclusions accurately reflect the experiences, achievements and realities of institutions that make up the National Statistical System.
The second objective, said Bandama, was to undertake a diagnosis of Zimbabwe’s National Data Ecosystem, a process viewed as critical in an era where the data landscape is rapidly evolving due to technological advancements, increasing demand for real-time information, expanding data sources and emerging development challenges.
Participants heard that understanding the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within the country’s data ecosystem will help position Zimbabwe to fully harness the value of data as a strategic national asset.
The outcomes of the workshop are expected to provide a strong evidence base for the formulation of the Fourth National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS IV), which will guide the future development of the country’s statistical system, said Bandama.
Stakeholders emphasized that the new strategy must be responsive to national priorities, support the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), align with Vision 2030 and address the growing demand for high-quality, timely and relevant data.
Participants were encouraged to engage openly, share experiences and contribute meaningfully to discussions, with officials noting that the quality and effectiveness of NSDS IV will depend largely on the collective expertise and insights of stakeholders across government, academia, the private sector and development partners.
The workshop also highlighted the increasing importance of robust data systems in informing policy formulation, guiding resource allocation and strengthening monitoring and evaluation processes.
As Zimbabwe advances towards its Vision 2030 aspirations, stakeholders agreed that a responsive, innovative and well-coordinated statistical system will be essential in supporting evidence-based decision-making and accelerating national development.
“Reliable statistics and robust data systems are indispensable for effective governance, policy formulation, resource allocation, monitoring and evaluation.
As custodians and users of data, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that our statistical system remains responsive, innovative, coordinated and fit for purpose,” said Bandama.
The review process is expected to lay the groundwork for a stronger and more resilient statistical framework capable of meeting the country’s future development needs while maximizing the value of data in a rapidly changing world.
New Ziana
