By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) – The country’s current sustained economic growth, and macro-economic stability reflected an emerging culture of disciplne and expanding and local and foreign investment in the economy, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Friday.
Officially opening the 23rd ZANU PF National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi, he said the ruling party was committed to ensuring continued economic stability and growth, anchored on national and people’s interest.
In 2025, Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 8.3 percent and is projected at 5 percent in 2026. Through astute monetary policy, annual inflation has come down to 2.8 percent and is accompanied by price stability.
“These achievements are praise-worthy. Conference will recall that at the advent of the Second Republic, our country’s GDP was USD16 billion. Presently our GDP is at USD66 billion. Similarly, in 2017, the GDP per capita was in the lower-middle-income economy range, at USD1 200. Currently, the GDP per capita is USD3 500 a close to 200 jump. We are on course to achieve upper middle income economy status, by 2030.
“Trade export figures, stood at USD2 billion annually in 2017, total exports now exceed US$20 billion, a percentage increase of 1 000. Zimbabwe is rising. I commend, the Party, Government, youth and women, small and medium enterprises, miners, farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs, public servants, as well as, citizens in the Diaspora for these national accomplishments,” President Mnangagwa said.
In International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Monitoring review programme, Zimbabwe has so far met all the quantitative targets, structural benchmarks and other commitments.
President Mnangagwa said agriculture sector has witnessed increased production and productivity across all categories of crops as the sector is projected to grow by 6.9 percent with strategic grain production estimated at 2.4 million tonnes.
“Irrigation expansion, agricultural mechanisation, enhanced extension services, storage facilities, and market access have in turn led to the accelerated development of agro-processing and agro-industries. The ongoing roll-out of boreholes and Village Agro-Business Units, with the refocus on market driven productivity, including targeting export, is a critical anchor to rural industrialisation and transformation.
“The 2026-2027 summer cropping season, requires us to put shoulder to the wheel for increased production. The Presidential Pfvumvudza/Intwasa Programme, must continue. The hazards associated with El-Nino induced droughts and other global shocks require critical attention. The party, Government and traditional leaders will continue to prioritise increased social and climate mitigation as well as high-impact development expenditure,” President Mnangagwa said.
The ruling party’s First Secretary added that overall output, export earnings, investment and employment creation in the mining sector remain key pillars in our ongoing economic transformation.
“Localised beneficiation and value addition in lithium, gold, platinum, coal and other strategic minerals along with mineral exploration have seen an unprecedented growth of the sector. Zimbabwe now has one of the largest steel industries in sub-Saharan Africa and an exporter of lithium sulphate,” he said.
The sustainability of the country’s development and prosperity depends on the party’s ability to harness the potential of all people, particularly youth and women.
“The Party’s empowerment agenda for the youth, women, people with disabilities and veterans of the armed liberation is practical and measurable. We are facilitating access to productive assets, local and international markets as well as entry into regional and global value chains. Young people are the drivers of the current development. Likewise, women continue to play a central role in building our societies, sustaining families, and strengthening our economies,” President Mnangagwa said.
He challenged the conference to craft resolutions that create concrete opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development, industrialisation, job creation and empowerment.
