Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe on Wednesday launched the Open Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Data Portal which will serve as the foundation for measuring the impact of policies and transformative action aligned with its ambitious global SDG agenda.
Public Works, Labour and Social Welfare permanent secretary Simon Masanga read a speech at the launch on behalf of chief secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya.
“Open and high-quality data are the lifeblood of accountability, transparency, and policy action. Globally, initiatives like the UN’s Open SDG Data Hub have shown us how accessible data can empower decision-makers, ensure public trust, and accelerate sustainable progress. Here in Zimbabwe, this portal will serve as our central platform, assembling official SDG indicators, visualization tools, and policy resources in one accessible space,” said Dr Rushwaya.
“The last few years have reminded us that without real-time and interoperable data systems; spanning spatial, economic, social, and environmental dimensions; we cannot steer national development effectively. This portal addresses that gap: offering a unified, user-friendly interface, downloadable datasets, data stories, and mappings to reveal where we are succeeding, and where we must do more,” he added.
The launch brought together government Ministries, United Nations agencies, development partners, the private sector, statistical experts, and civil society players involved in harnessing data for targeted policies, inclusive growth, and renewed investment.
“When countries like the United Arab Emirates launched their SDG Data Hubs, they created transformative tools but more importantly, they built ecosystems of accountability and innovation. Zimbabwe’s OpenSDG portal aspires to follow that same path, serving as a national asset for transparency, evidence-based decision-making, and citizen engagement,” Dr Rushwaya said.
Speaking at the same event, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Edward Kallon said the data portal signalled the commitment of Zimbabwe to an evidence-based development path that is inclusive and transparent.
“I would like to commend the Government of Zimbabwe for taking this bold and visionary step. This launch reflects the national resolve to ensure that development is grounded in evidence and guided by measurable outcomes. Globally, we are at a critical juncture. The 2030 Agenda is halfway through its implementation, yet according to the 2024 SDG Progress Report, only 17 percent of the 135 assessed targets are on track to be achieved by 2030, while nearly half (48 percent) are moderately or severely off-course. Worryingly, 17 percent of SDG targets have regressed, falling below baseline levels and 18 percent indicate stagnation,” he said.
“This reality signals an urgent call to action and makes the launch of Zimbabwe’s Open SDG Data Portal both timely and essential. It is through platforms like this that we can identify where we are succeeding, where we are falling short, and, most importantly, how we can respond with speed and precision to accelerate progress and deliver on the promise of the 2030 Agenda,” he added.
Acting Zimbabwe Statistics Agency (ZimStat) director general Aluwisio Mukavhi expressed gratitude to the Government for the support and trust it placed in his organization to serve as the national custodian and host of official statistics, including SDG data.
He said the responsibility reflects the country’s shared ambition to modernise data systems and uphold the principles of transparency, accessibility, and accountability.
By improving access to official statistics and facilitating the tracking of progress, the portal supports evidence-based decision-making, fosters transparency, and promotes accountability across sectors.
It also harmonizes country-level data for international reporting, contributing to global SDG monitoring frameworks like the UN global indicator database.
New Ziana
