Story by Josephine Mugiyo
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed optimism that Zimbabwe’s economic rebound is on track despite the challenges posed by the El Nino-induced drought.
During the last cabinet sitting of the year in Harare this Tuesday, President Mnangagwa emphasised that the country’s fiscal and monetary reforms will drive economic growth.
President Mnangagwa wrapped up the 41st and last cabinet meeting of the year at State House in Harare, highlighting government’s achievements across various ministries.
Despite the negative impact of the El Niño-induced drought on the economy, President Mnangagwa remains optimistic about the future, citing fiscal and monetary reforms as key drivers of the economic rebound.
“On the economic front, the revision of the economic growth projections on the back of the El Niño-induced drought’s negative impact on agricultural output was inevitable. However, we remain resolute and optimistic that the fiscal and monetary reforms introduced during the year will increasingly underpin currency stability and usher economic rebound,” he said.
The President emphasised government’s commitment to housing delivery, after the commissioning and handing over of various housing projects to the public during the course of the year and pledged government’s commitment to channeling resources towards housing delivery.
“It is encouraging that the housing stock in our country is modernising and improving in both quality and quantity. Government will on its part continue to channel resources towards housing delivery as well as the upgrading and rehabilitation of both residential and institutional accommodation nationwide.”
Drawing from the mantra “leaving no one and no place behind” President Mnangagwa’s government has sought to ensure rural communities are part of the development trajectory.
He said, “The modernisation and development indicators that are evident throughout all provinces and districts of the country undoubtedly speak to the ongoing success of our decentralisation and devolution agenda. This has seen an improved standard of life and living environments for our people with enhanced basic social services infrastructure, particularly in health and education as well as water and sanitation.”
President Mnangagwa also used the platform to remind cabinet ministers that government business takes precedence all the time.
“In the 2025 calendar year, the Chief Secretary is directed to strictly monitor individual attendance and ensure that errant ministers and officials toe the line or risk dire consequences. Ministers should remain mindful that cabinet business takes precedence over all other business. In cases where deputy ministers are assigned, they should be adequately capacitated to enable active participation in the requisite deliberations.”
Government business and service delivery will continue uninterrupted despite the cabinet break, with the President stressing the importance of responding to the people’s needs in a timely manner
