Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has projected a positive economic outlook for 2026, citing strong prospects in agriculture, mining and industry, as the country consolidates gains recorded across key productive sectors.
Speaking at his Precabe Farm in Kwekwe, the President said indications from the current farming season point to a bumper harvest, while performance trends in mining and industry remain encouraging.
“The outlook is very good, the crops are very good. I think we are going to receive a bumper harvest. The projections are very positive in terms of the mining sector, indications are that we are doing better. In industry, we have no strikes,” the President said.
The Head of State, a farmer of note, said that for farmers to maximise their production, they must endeavour to keep improving and learning from those performing better than them.
“You learn from others, if there is someone who is doing better than you, you learn from them. That is how we have been doing it around here.”
Attaining targets across key sectors of the economy requires constant monitoring and all hands on deck. The Second Republic introduced the performance-based contracts, which have become key in measuring the performance of cabinet ministers and heads of parastatals.
President Mnangagwa also spoke about how the performance-based contracts have enabled him to assess public office bearers.
“No minister now sits back as a result of the performance-based contracts. If one day I want to use my axe, I know where to use it. I am not threatening anyone, but I will just know.”
President Mnangagwa also noted that a good leader must always be guided by the national interests when monitoring performance.
“People are assigned duties to be done. Those who perform, you will see the results. If you are a good leader, you must not be guided by friendship. Do not look and say I went to school with so and so. Work must be done.”
Having recorded significant success across various sectors in 2025, focus is now on the developments for 2026, underpinned by the National Development Strategy 2.
During the course of 2026, all eyes will be on leaders of various sectors to ensure they get the job done and put national interest first, as enunciated by President Mnangagwa.
