Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) has taken awareness campaigns on the envisaged first economic census for the country to Manicaland province, with businesses being implored to cooperate and ensure the success of the important national exercise.
The inaugural economic census exercise expected to run from this year to 2026 is a landmark development set to guide the formulation and implementation of the National Development Strategy 2.
ZIMSTAT Manager – Industrial Statistics in Zimbabwe Mrs Kuda Chiguma outlined the economic census implementation roadmap.
“ZIMSTAT is scheduled to conduct the economic census in 2025 which will be done in phases. Our enumerators are already on the ground doing mapping exercises. After the mapping exercise, we have the listing exercise which will run from August to the end of December this year.
“Then, we will have the input-output survey which will run from January to the end of March 2025. The main data collection will run from April 2025 up to June 2026,” she said.
ZIMSTAT Acting Director General Mrs Fadzai Ndlovu says the exercise is expected to provide comprehensive baseline statistics on the size and structure of the economy.
“The 2025 economic census is a comprehensive survey that the Zimbabwe national statistics will undertake to produce comprehensive baseline statistics on the size and structure of the economy. Statistics are key in evidence-based policy formulation and decision-making, strategic planning and GDP compilation.
“It will also provide geographical location and economic activities across the country. Maximum support is expected from the business community through the provision of timely truthful information. We also implore everyone to cooperate.”
Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza described the economic census as a landmark undertaking for the country.
“The 2025 economic census is a landmark undertaking that will provide us with information on the provincial and national economic landscape. It will provide the right basis for informed decision-making and help us to allocate resources and support key industries.
“ l call upon the business community to cooperate with ZIMSTAT staff. The success of this economic census hinges on the active participation of all micro, small, medium and large businesses across Manicaland,” he said.
The economic census is also expected to provide insight into the implementation of the country’s devolution programme.
