Story by Fairstars Mukungurutse
HARARE – HARARE Province is seeking to improve on its 23 percent contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product.
This was revealed during the Harare Metropolitan Provincial Development Dialogue held in the capital this Thursday, co-hosted by the National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF) in line with the country’s transition from the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) to NDS2.
Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Charles Tavengwa, said the province remains the highest contributor to national income and is strategically positioned to spearhead Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.
“In view of the massive development currently taking place, Harare Metropolitan Province has become the largest contributor to national income as of 2023, accounting for 23.3% of GDP. It is therefore incumbent upon us to lead in driving the national development agenda by increasing our output.”
Senior government officials present at the dialogue highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in delivering meaningful development, with a strong emphasis on transparency and innovation.
“Let us appreciate the value of dialogue itself as a mechanism for transparency, shared accountability, and innovation. Such platforms elevate local voices, encourage citizen-driven policy, and build mutual trust between the public and private sectors. They allow us to tailor interventions that reflect provincial realities, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach,” the Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr Willard Manungo said.
Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, echoed similar sentiments while also addressing the state of service delivery in Harare and surrounding municipalities.
“What we are witnessing here today is ground-breaking, where stakeholders are shaping the narrative on provincial economic development. But we must also focus on social services. The time for endless talk shows is over. We need practical solutions,” he said.
“Following the Commission of Inquiry into the management of the City of Harare, instituted by His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, we are now awaiting direction based on its findings. Residents across Harare, Chitungwiza, Epworth, and Ruwa have raised grave concerns about service delivery, which has deteriorated due to corruption, mismanagement, and weak oversight. It is now time to fix this.”
Other speakers at the dialogue stressed the importance of collaborative input from various sectors, including the business community, small-to-medium enterprises, and urban councils.
“This dialogue is critical as it brings together diverse stakeholders to share ideas on how we can improve Harare and collectively contribute to the national GDP,” SMEs Advisory Board Member Mr Taurai Marembo said.
Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe Secretary-General Mr Livison Mutekede welcomed the initiative, calling it a necessary step towards inclusive development.
“We fully support this dialogue. It aligns with our development vision and provides an advocacy platform for the province to ensure that stakeholders’ aspirations are reflected in planning. We look forward to continued engagement with both provincial government and councils.”
The dialogue was running under the theme “Towards Inclusive Socio-Economic Transformation, Leaving No One and No Place Behind.”
