Story by Bruce Chawanda, Political Editor
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is today launching the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) for 2026-2030, a blueprint that will steer Zimbabwe’s economic modernisation and social transformation as the country pushes toward its Vision 2030 target of becoming an upper-middle-income society.
The launch ceremony currently underway at State House in Harare, marks the beginning of the second five-year development cycle under the Second Republic’s results-based policy framework.
NDS2 builds on the gains achieved under the National Development Strategy 1 which ran from 2021 to 2025, during which government recorded notable progress across 14 thematic areas, including infrastructure development, agriculture, fiscal consolidation and social services expansion.
The new strategy sets out ten National Priority Areas designed to drive inclusive growth, deepen economic stability and strengthen governance. These include macroeconomic stability and financial sector reform; inclusive economic growth and structural transformation; infrastructure and housing development; and food security, climate and environmental sustainability.
Other priorities include science, technology, innovation and digital development, job creation and youth empowerment; regional development through devolution; social protection and gender equality, international relations and trade; as well as governance, peace and institutional strengthening.
NDS2 is expected to consolidate current development gains, address outstanding structural challenges and position Zimbabwe for accelerated growth across all sectors.
The framework will guide national planning, resource allocation and implementation of flagship programmes, with a focus on improving service delivery, expanding economic opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for citizens.
NDS2 is the final medium-term plan before Vision 2030, making it a critical roadmap for the country’s development trajectory over the next five years.
