Implementation to anchor 2026 development strategy: Mthuli

Farirai MachivenyikaSenior ReporterTHE country’s 2026 development strategy will be anchored on the implementation of domestic, regional and continental priorities through the promotion of industrialisation, economic diversification and regional integration.This was said by Finance, Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube in the 2026 Budget Strategy Paper tabled in Parliament when he presented the 2025 Mid-term Budget Review Statement last Thursday.“The country’s development trajectory is aligned with the Sadc Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020- 2030, which seeks to deepen regional integration and industrial development. This is also aligned with the AU Agenda 2063, now in its second decade of implementation.“The AU Agenda 2063 prioritises industrialisation, inclusive growth, sustainable development and economic diversification. The country’s 2026 Strategy, therefore, is designed to actualise domestic, regional and continental priorities by fostering industrialisation, economic diversification, innovation and regional integration.“The country’s commitment to regional frameworks reflects Zimbabwe’s strategic intent to leverage regional value chains and enhance competitiveness in global markets,” Prof Ncube said.He said the country was embracing the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which presents significant opportunities for the domestic economy to expand export markets and attract investment.“In this regard, expanding macro, sectoral and structural reforms will lower costs of production and improve productivity as necessary for Zimbabwe to fully harness AfCFTA benefits,” he said.The minister also said the 2026 National Budget Strategy Paper would be informed by the concluding phase of the National Development Strategy 1 which was the country’s inaugural five-year-medium plan towards the achievement of an upper-middle income society by 2030.“The 2026 Budget Strategy Paper is framed on the backdrop of the concluding phase of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which spans 2021–2025.

NDS1 has been serving as the country’s inaugural five-year medium-term plan towards the achievement of Vision 2030, “Towards a Prosperous and Empowered Upper Middle-Income Society.“This Vision underscores the nation’s commitment towards inclusive growth, sustainable development and improved livelihoods for all citizens,” he said.He added that Government was undertaking a comprehensive review of NDS1’s implementation outcomes, drawing key lessons to inform the next phase, which is the formulation and implementation of National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).“Building on the foundation laid by the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and NDS1, the NDS2 will take effect from January 2026 through December 2030. The blueprint represents the country’s second five-year national development plan, designed to anchor macroeconomic stability, expand financial deepening, accelerate inclusive growth and structural transformation.“The transition from NDS1 to NDS2 underscores Government’s commitment to a whole-of-Government approach, ensuring enhanced policy coherence and implementation effectiveness across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and sectors,” Prof Ncube said.He said a broad-based consultative process was underway to engage stakeholders nationwide in refining and finalising the NDS2 framework, with the official launch scheduled before the end of the year.This inclusive approach seeks to foster ownership and collective responsibility for achieving ambitious targets set forth in the new strategy.“NDS2 is anchored on 10 national priorities which are intended to optimise domestic resource allocation and strengthen sectoral coordination for impactful service delivery,” Prof Ncube said.The priorities are enhancing macro-economic stability and financial sector deepening; inclusive economic growth and structural transformation; infrastructural development and housing; agriculture, food security, climate resilience and environmental protection; science, technology, innovation, digitalisation and human capital development; job creation, youth development, creative industry and culture; social development, gender and social protection; regional development and inclusivity through devolution and decentralisation; image building, international relations and trade; and good governance; institution building, peace and security.Share on FacebookPost on XFollow usSave

Originally published on Zimbabwe Herald

Source: Zimbabwe Herald