Academics Highlight Importance of 2025 Economic Census for Policy, Investment
Comprehensive data from the upcoming 2025 Economic Census will be crucial for informing economic policies and investment decisions at the national and subnational levels, a leading academic has said.
Speaking at a provincial sensitisation event for the census in Bulawayo, an economist and a lecturer at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Emmanuel Sibanda, emphasised the wide-ranging applications of the data that will be collected.
“An economic census provides invaluable insights into the financial performance of businesses, the costs they incur, and the employment levels across different sectors,” Sibanda said while speaking to the media during the Economic census sensitisation program.
He added, “This data is essential for tracking the overall performance of an economy or a community over time, and identifying areas that require targeted policy interventions or support.”
Sibanda who has extensively researched Zimbabwe’s economic development, said the disaggregated nature of the census data would enable policymakers to align their decisions with the unique needs and priorities of different provinces and localities.
“The beauty of a comprehensive economic census is that it provides us with a granular understanding of economic activity, down to the level of individual businesses and their demographics,” he explained.
He further said, “This empowers authorities to craft policies and allocate resources in a way that directly addresses the specific challenges and opportunities within each province, district, or even ward.”
The economist highlighted several key indicators that would be captured during the 2025 Economic Census, including business turnover, input costs, and employment figures broken down by age and gender.
“By tracking metrics like business revenues, operational expenditures, and employment levels, we can obtain a holistic picture of the health and competitiveness of different sectors,” Sibanda said.
He went on to say, “Policymakers can then use this information to identify industries that require support, as well as areas that are ripe for investment and growth.”
Sibanda’s sentiments were echoed by the Director of Economic Affairs and Investment Godfrey Mukwakwami, who emphasised the census’ role in shaping economic policies.
“The data collected during this exercise will be absolutely crucial for informing decisions at the provincial and local levels,” Mukwakwami said.
“It will enable us to allocate resources more effectively, target key industries for development, and identify strategic investment opportunities that align with the unique economic landscape of each region.”
ZIMSTAT Acting Director-General, Aluwisio Mukavhi also stressed the importance of business participation in the census, noting that the information would be pivotal for unleashing the province’s full economic potential.
“We call upon all businesses, regardless of size, to cooperate with ZIMSTAT during the data collection process,” Mukavhi said.
“Your contributions will be instrumental in painting a complete picture of Matabeleland North’s economic activity, which will then empower us to implement policies and programs that truly address the needs of the business community.”
Sibanda underscored the census’ significance for both policymakers and the private sector.
“This is a landmark exercise that will provide us with a comprehensive, up-to-date understanding of our economic landscape,” he said.
“Whether you’re a government official, a business leader, or a researcher, the insights generated from this census will be invaluable in guiding your decisions and strategies for the betterment of our province and our nation as a whole.”
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