Harare, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday officially launched the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2), a comprehensive five-year economic blueprint set to guide the country’s development agenda from 2026 to 2030.
The strategy, which succeeds NDS 1, is designed to accelerate the country’s transition toward an empowered, prosperous upper middle-income society in line with the vision to become an upper middle income society by 2030.
Speaking at the launch at the State House in the capital, President Mnangagwa described the occasion as a milestone for the nation and commended stakeholders across Government, the private sector, civil society, faith-based organisations and the Diaspora for their unity of purpose and inclusive participation in crafting the new framework.
“It is pleasing that you executed the task guided by the principle of inclusivity and our mantra of leaving no one and no place behind. NDS 2 encapsulates the voices, hopes and aspirations of our people from across the country. Well done, Makorokoto, Amhlophe,” he said.
He said the document embodies national values of unity, self-reliance and shared responsibility, adding that it aligns with the philosophy Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo / Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo (a country is built, ruled and prayed for by its people).
The NDS 2 aims to consolidate the gains achieved under NDS 1, while pushing Zimbabwe into a new phase of economic transformation.
It outlines 10 overarching objectives, among them sustaining macroeconomic stability, accelerating value addition and beneficiation, strengthening infrastructure, boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing human capital development and deepening devolution.
“To achieve these broad objectives, we have set for ourselves ten national priorities, whose development impact transcends all sectors of the economy. Further, our priorities are aligned to regional, continental and global development frameworks. These encompass the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” President Mnangagwa said.
The blueprint also prioritises job creation, youth and women empowerment, expansion of the creative sector, universal access to quality health and education, promotion of Brand Zimbabwe, and strengthening governance and security systems.
President Mnangagwa said the strategy will continue to advance reforms that enhance competitiveness and reduce the cost and complexity of doing business in line with the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” drive.
He outlined ten national priorities that cut across all sectors and align with global and continental frameworks such as the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Among the major focus areas is the industrialisation and modernisation of the economy, particularly through value addition of agricultural and mineral commodities while infrastructure development covering energy, transport, Information Communication Technology, water, sanitation and housing will be accelerated as a key enabler of inclusive growth.
On agriculture, President Mnangagwa said NDS 2 builds on recent gains in maize, wheat and tobacco production as the country will prioritise climate-proofing agriculture, expanding irrigation, improving storage systems and promoting integrated land and water management to strengthen food and nutrition security.
“Riding on the unprecedented gains realised in agriculture, particularly in maize, wheat and tobacco, NDS 2 will see us ring-fence our national food and nutrition security through increased productivity, modern storage infrastructure and enhanced climate resilience. The need to climate proof our agriculture, establish sustainable irrigation, along with integrated land and water management, will result in increased investments in these areas,” he said.
President Mnangagwa added that the strategy places significant emphasis on science, technology, digitalisation and human capital development, with deliberate measures to strengthen the link between academia, innovation and industry.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equitable regional development through strengthened devolution and decentralisation.
“Our Government is a listening and people-centred Administration Under NDS 2, broader social development and the mainstreaming of gender, disability and social protection remain key,” he explained.
Health sector modernisation, improved access to medicines, expanded insurance cover, age and gender-responsive policies are among the major interventions earmarked for fast-tracked implementation while unity, peace, security and the integrity of national institutions remain central pillars of the plan.
President Mnangagwa said the country will maintain its stance of being “a friend to all and enemy to none” as it strengthens its engagement and re-engagement efforts while promoting the Brand Zimbabwe initiative.
To ensure effective delivery, he said NDS 2 will be implemented through robust structures that promote coordination, communication and accountability across all sectors. A digitally enabled Integrated Results-Based Management Framework, supported by data units in Ministries and Departments, will be used to track progress and enhance performance management.
“The success of any plan lies in its comprehensive rollout and timely execution. Together, in unity and with unwavering determination, let us accelerate progress and surpass the development aspirations envisioned in this document,” he said.
He called on all Zimbabweans, development partners and citizens in the diaspora to rally behind the new strategy, saying the nation’s vision is within reach.
“Leveraging our resource endowments and the ingenuity of our people, nothing in this plan is impossible. Let us move forward, hand in hand, building, modernising and industrialising our country, ibwe pamusoro peibwe (stone upon stone).” he said
New Ziana
