Online Reporter
OUTCOMES and resolutions from the inaugural National Policy Expo reflected “a shared and unambiguous confidence in an upward growth trajectory for Zimbabwe”, with stakeholders resolving to back Government’s implementation of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) as part of the country’s Governance Excellence-Attainment and Readiness (GEAR) for Vision 2030.
The communique, issued following the inaugural Policy Hub National Policy Expo, said delegates from Government, the private sector, academia and civil society reached consensus on a broad governance and development agenda aimed at consolidating economic growth and policy continuity.
According to the communique, participants resolved to support Government’s commitment to strengthening Zimbabwe’s constitutional architecture, agriculture and food security, fiscal stability, investment, financial inclusion, digital connectivity, industrialisation, infrastructure development, human capital and social protection.
The document said the expo had brought together “a broad and distinguished cross-section of stakeholders from the private and public sectors, academia, and civil society” to deliberate on Zimbabwe’s development trajectory, with particular emphasis on Governance Excellence-Attainment and Readiness for Vision 2030.
It said discussions pointed to “an optimistic post-Constitutional Amendment Bill (CAB) 3 policy dispensation”, affirming “the shared desire for policy continuity being driven by the Second Republic.”
“The aftermath of CAB 3 promises an upward growth trajectory of the economy and increased socio-political stability,” the communique said.
The stakeholders also expressed confidence that consistent Government policy would continue to improve prospects for both local and foreign investment.
“The Expo reaffirmed a growing assurance in policy consistency by the Government to guarantee high prospects of Local and Foreign Direct Investment,” the communique said.
Among the recommendations adopted was a proposal that contractual terms for officials implementing the National Development Strategy 2 should align with the proposed extension of electoral terms under Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.
“It was proposed that the extension of electoral terms should also apply to the contractual terms of all officials mandated to implement NDS2. This is believed that the extension of contractual terms of policy executives and captains of industry will align with the strategic developmental imperatives of CAB 3,” the communique said.
The Policy Hub also called for wider public engagement on NDS2 through provincial outreach programmes.
“The Expo affirmed the need for a devolved NDS2 advocacy championed by the Policy Hub to the country’s ten provinces through the support of the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) and other progressive partners,” the communique said.
The document said deliberations focused on assessing the achievements of the Second Republic, strengthening resilience against future economic shocks and examining how Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 could deepen political and economic democratisation.
Looking beyond the expo, the Policy Hub announced the launch of a collaborative academic research initiative that will produce a policy handbook titled The Second Republic and Human-Centred Policy Thinking Development Continuity: 2026–2030.
The publication, it said, “will serve as a substantive contribution to providing evidence-grounded frameworks to inform governance, planning, and development decisions in the years ahead.”
In its concluding statement, the organisation said the inaugural National Policy Expo had underscored Zimbabwe’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and inclusive development.
“The Policy Hub’s Inaugural National Policy Expo has demonstrated the depth of Zimbabwe’s collective commitment to purposeful, inclusive, and evidence-based national development. The convergence of diverse stakeholders around a shared vision for the post-CAB 3 era signals a mature and forward-looking policy culture,” the communique said.
The Policy Hub pledged to continue facilitating dialogue, advancing research and promoting governance excellence as Zimbabwe pursues the full realisation of Vision 2030.
