Story by Online Reporter
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says communities must be the primary beneficiaries of Zimbabwe’s natural resources, announcing that the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) will prioritise industrialisation, value addition and beneficiation to ensure local people gain tangible economic benefits from the country’s mineral and agricultural wealth.
Speaking during the launch of NDS2 at State House in Harare on Thursday, President Mnangagwa said the new development blueprint for 2026-2030 will place communities at the centre of development by transforming raw resources into high-value products, creating jobs, stimulating local industries and boosting rural economies.
“To ensure that our communities benefit from our natural resource endowments, the Strategy will prioritise industrialisation, modernisation, value addition and beneficiation, predominantly of agriculture and mineral commodities. The importance of infrastructure, orderly and planned human settlements, in our pursuit of Vision 2030 cannot be overemphasised. The Strategy, will equally focus on the implementation of comprehensive interventions in energy, transport, ICT, water and sanitation as well as housing development. These are key enablers for inclusive economic growth and structural transformation,” he said.
President Mnangagwa added that the ten national priorities outlined under NDS2 are aligned with major regional and global development frameworks, including the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
He said infrastructure development remains essential for Zimbabwe’s transformation agenda, with the strategy set to drive major investments in energy, transport, ICT, water and sanitation and housing.
Building on agricultural gains recorded under NDS1, particularly in maize, wheat and tobacco, President Mnangagwa said NDS2 will focus on strengthening national food and nutrition security through increased productivity, modern storage facilities and climate-resilient farming systems.
“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,” President Mnangagwa said.
NDS2 will also accelerate the country’s transition towards a knowledge-driven economy, with deliberate emphasis on science, technology, innovation and human capital development. President Mnangagwa said education reforms under the strategy will consolidate the link between academia, innovation hubs and industry.
On employment creation and empowerment, President Mnangagwa said youth, women and the creative industries will receive greater support to drive entrepreneurship, cultural development and nation-building initiatives.
“With regards to science, technology, digitalisation, innovation and human capital development, NDS 2 has been designed to enhance the quality of education through science, vocational education training and lifelong learning. The intricate nexus between academia, innovation and industry is set to be consolidated. Job Creation, Entrepreneurship, Youth and Women Empowerment, as well as the growth of the Sport, Creative and Cultural Industries remain of critical importance under my Administration. Support for content creation that resonates with nation building, development and value addition to aid industrialisation as well as entrepreneurship programmes for youth and women, will be enhanced,” he said.
The President emphasised that all interventions under NDS2 are designed to propel Zimbabwe closer to its Vision 2030 goal of becoming a prosperous, empowered upper-middle-income society.
