Zimbabwe Launches Groundbreaking Economic Census for Policy and Development
Zimbabwe is gearing up for its first-ever national economic census, a critical exercise that will provide invaluable information to guide the country’s economic policies and planning.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, stressed the importance of comprehensive economic data in informed decision-making and targeted policy development.
At the 2025 Economic Census Provincial Sensitization Meeting held on June 17, 2024, at the Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo, Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Paul Nyoni, speaking on behalf of Minister Ncube, reiterated the significance of the data collected from this census.
“With the economic census, we will have access to invaluable data that will empower us to develop targeted policies, allocate resources effectively, and identify areas of investment that will unlock our province’s greatest potential,” said Minister Ncube.
Ncube emphasised that it would empower decision-makers and facilitate the effective allocation of resources.
Ncube emphasised the province’s commitment to targeted policies that foster economic growth and unlock its greatest potential. Accurate and disaggregated economic data was highlighted as crucial in this regard.
Ncube stated, “If you are giving out data, you are just another person giving an opinion.” This underscores the need for precision and the reliance on accurate information.
The success of the Economic Census depends on the active participation of various stakeholders, including micro, small, medium, and large-scale enterprises. Ncube called upon the business community to cooperate with census enumerators to provide a complete picture of the provincial economic landscape. Business representatives and associations were urged to utilise the meeting as an opportunity to understand the requirements and challenges of the initiative.
Ncube stressed the importance of timeliness in the data collection process. She encouraged businesses to embrace digital solutions and collaborate with enumerators to ensure the success of the census. He reiterated the significance of having the most current statistics when making decisions.
Gratitude was expressed to the organisers, and reassurances were given that the Provincial Affairs and Devolution Department is committed to collecting accurate and up-to-date statistics. Collaboration and unity among all stakeholders were called for to make the census a resounding success, shaping economic policies and improving the overall business environment.
The Acting Director General of the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, Aluwisio Mukavhi, emphasised that the economic census would allow for the measurement of the economy’s structure and enable comparison with other countries. He called it a vital exercise that provides indicators to guide the country’s economic direction.
This comprehensive survey aims to gather detailed data on the number, size, location, and activities of Zimbabwe’s economic establishments across all sectors. The census is particularly important since Zimbabwe has never conducted such an exercise before. With the country’s more informalised and diversified modern economy, the current census seeks to capture a more accurate picture of its structure.
However, the census faces challenges in terms of getting businesses to respond to the enumerators conducting the surveys. Mukavhi acknowledged that response rates have been low so far due to companies being preoccupied with their day-to-day operations.
To counter this, the statistics agency is ramping up publicity and outreach efforts to raise awareness among the business community about the importance of participating.
Businesses have been assured that all the information collected will be kept strictly confidential and used only for statistical purposes. The economic census data will be crucial for Zimbabwe as it transitions from the current National Development Strategy 1 to NDS 2.
These statistics will provide insights into the country’s economic performance and guide the government’s decision-making process.
Mukavhi urged all businesses in Zimbabwe to participate fully in the census. He emphasised the exercise’s importance for the country’s economic situation and development strategies. With the census now underway, the data collected will be analysed and results are expected to be published in 2025. These insights will inform policymakers and shape Zimbabwe’s economic future.
In conclusion, Zimbabwe’s first-ever national economic census is poised to provide critical information that will guide economic policies and planning. It is an opportunity to measure the structure of the economy, compare it with other countries, and make informed decisions. The cooperation of businesses and their active participation in the census will be instrumental in ensuring its success. By embracing the census and providing accurate data, Zimbabwe can unlock its potential and pave the way for a prosperous future.
#News in Bulawayo #News in Zimbabwe Artist Arts BCC Bulawayo Bulawayo City Council Bulawayo Drugs Bulawayo economy Bulawayo industry Bulawayo news Bulawayo Police Bulawayo Water Bulawayo Water Crisis Bulawayo Women entrepreneurship Business Women Community Culture Currency Drug Abuse Drugs Economy Farmer Farmers Farming Informal Sector Informal Traders MSMEs Music News in Bulawayo News in Zimbabwe Police Police in Bulawayo Vendor Vendors water Water Crisis Water Shortage water supply issue Women entrepreneurship ZESA Zimbabwean economy Zimbabwe news Zimbabwe water crisis ZITF ZRP
Join us for all News in Bulawayo and Bulawayo News in Zimbabwe.
