National Development Strategy 1 Transforming Industries

National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1)

Finance minister Hon. Mthuli Ncube said the economy is now on the rebound because of mining and agriculture transformation programs. According to Finance Minister, Prof. Mthuli the country is now experiencing transformation and value addition under National Development Strategy 1(NDS1) in the agricultural sector and mining sector.

Development Blueprint

The NDS1 is a development blueprint for Zimbabwe covering the period 2021 to 2025. It is the first of two five-year strategies aimed at transforming Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

Finance Minister Honourable Professor Mthuli Ncube addressing a public lecture at NUST.

Pillars for Success

The NDS1 is anchored on four pillars, namely:

Economic growth and stability – this pillar focuses on creating a conducive environment for economic growth and stability by improving the business climate, attracting foreign investment, and promoting industrialization, among others.
Social development – this pillar seeks to improve the quality of life of all Zimbabweans through enhanced access to education, healthcare, and social services, as well as reducing poverty and inequality.
Infrastructure development – this pillar is aimed at improving the country’s infrastructure, including roads, railways, airports, energy, and ICT, to support economic growth.
Governance, peace, and security – this pillar focuses on strengthening institutions, enhancing accountability and transparency, promoting human rights, and ensuring peace and security.

The implementation of the NDS1 will require the active participation of all stakeholders, including the government, private sector, civil society, and development partners. The strategy will be monitored and evaluated through a robust results-based management framework to ensure that it achieves its objectives.

Achieving GDP Growth

One of the key goals of the NDS1 is to achieve a GDP growth rate of at least 5% per year, driven by increased investment, productivity, and exports. To achieve this goal, the strategy focuses on improving the business environment by reducing red tape, promoting investment, and improving the ease of doing business.

Hon. Prof Ncube said, “The fact that Zimbabwe is now basically self-sufficient in terms of food security shows that agriculture is really driving the transformation we are experiencing and that is taking place in terms of the investment in dams, quality of farmers including the financial model in the farming sector.”

Mining Sector Outlook

“The transformation we are seeing in the mining sector which include the steel project in Manhize and investment we see in the lithium platinum space, all this is moving our mining sector forward and we except it to grow at least 10% this year,” Hon. Prof Mthuli Ncube said.

Professor Ncube stated that if the rains continue, then there won’t be a drought this year and the nation is guaranteed of a good harvest and that 3.9% growth rate in GDP should be the minimal that should be expected this year.

Locally Manufactured

Mthuli has applauded the fact that at least 70% of products found in our shops are locally manufactured which is in line with NDS1 which aimed at stimulating agricultural production to ensure 80 percent of industry’s raw material needs are met from local inputs.

During NDS1 mining is expected to play an essential role towards national reindustrialisation to build a strong integrated economy since Zimbabwe has more than 40 minerals with commercial viability.

Prior to NDS1, the agricultural sector has been struggling to meet demand for food as the country’s population grows as well as industry’s raw material requirements.

Good Summer Crops

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has attributed the country’s bumper wheat harvest to the modernisation and mechanisation of the country’s agriculture sector.

This year Zimbabwe set target of three million tonnes of maize for the 2022/23 season and farmers are hoping for a good summer crop harvest while in 2022 the estimated maize production for 2021/2022 season was at 1. 5 million tonnes.

Overall

The NDS1 represents a comprehensive framework for Zimbabwe’s development over the next five years, with a focus on achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth and social development.