Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
THE Second Republic is ready to continually evolve in line with Zimbabwe’s national interests while sharing the country’s governance innovations and successful development models with the rest of Africa, President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa said as he officially launched the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.
Addressing the launch ceremony, President Mnangagwa said his administration remained committed to continuously improving governance through the APRM, describing the mechanism as an important platform for accountability, institutional reform and sustainable development.
“The Second Republic is ready to continually evolve, in line with the needs and national interest of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said Zimbabwe was equally prepared to contribute its experiences to the continent.
“As Zimbabwe, we stand ready to share our experiences, innovations and successful models with fellow Member States of the African Union, as our contribution to collective progress, development and shared prosperity for the peoples of our continent,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President said the launch marked a major milestone in Zimbabwe’s participation in the African Union’s home-grown governance initiative following the country’s voluntary accession to the APRM in February 2020.
He said Zimbabwe’s participation reflected its commitment to good governance, sustainable development and the aspirations of Agenda 2063, while complementing Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the Sustainable Development Goals.
President Mnangagwa said the APRM also aligned with Constitutional provisions that promote transparent, accountable governance and regional cooperation.
He said his administration’s willingness to undergo peer review demonstrated its commitment to a people-centred system of governance.
“The acceptance by my Administration to be reviewed amplifies our pledge to the citizenry that we are a people-centred Government. Their voices matter, hence our institutions and policies are open to analysis and improvement. Governance is not static, but ever-changing,” he said.
The Head of State said Zimbabwe had already moved to implement recommendations contained in the Targeted Review Report on Economic Governance and Management, which he received during the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government on February 13, 2026.
“My Government has taken into consideration the comprehensive recommendations made there-under, and developed a National Programme of Action Matrix. We are determined to achieve equitable development that leaves no one and no place behind,” he said.
The President said the report recognised several home-grown initiatives that were contributing to Africa’s wider development agenda.
These include transformative leadership, the Land Reform Programme, performance contracting, innovation through Heritage-Based Education 5.0, Village Business Units under the Rural Development 8.0 Model and the “Back-to-Basics” monetary policy approach.
He said Zimbabwe was ready to share those experiences with other African countries to promote collective progress and prosperity.
Calling for broad participation, President Mnangagwa said the APRM was a national programme requiring contributions from every sector of society.
“To my fellow countrymen and women, the APRM is not for Government alone, but for every Zimbabwean. The Mechanism is a vital tool for inclusive growth and sustainable socio-economic development,” he said.
He urged Government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector, academia and ordinary citizens to actively participate in the review process.
“Let us never shy away from improving our systems, hearing the views of the people we serve and appropriately adjusting our respective organisations and entities to meet the expectations of our stakeholders,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe remained on “an irreversible and accelerated course to national economic development and prosperity”, adding that growth must benefit all citizens while minimising socio-economic disparities.
He also called for stronger Pan-African cooperation and greater economic self-determination across the continent.
“The obligation to build, modernise and develop our economies, leveraging on the rich resource endowments is on our shoulders. Partners may only assist the realisation of our respective visions and development priorities as set out by ourselves. The days of running with the agenda and narratives set elsewhere, in Western capitals are over,” he said.
The President said participation in the APRM would strengthen national institutions, deepen reforms, improve governance systems and entrench principles of efficiency and fairness.
He also thanked Uganda, represented at the ceremony by Vice President Retired Major Jessica Alupo on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni, for supporting Zimbabwe’s successful election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.
President Mnangagwa also acknowledged the African Union, the APRM Continental Secretariat, the APRM Panel of Eminent Persons and SADC member states for supporting Zimbabwe throughout the peer review process and for their continued solidarity in calling for the unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
He urged African nations to remain committed to unity, peace, economic sovereignty and continental integration.
“The aspirations of our ambitious young people, the hope of resilient women and dreams of hardworking entrepreneurs all depend on the actions we take. We do not have the luxury of failure,” he said.
