Zimbabwe today entered a new chapter of its development trajectory with the official launch of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the five-year economic blueprint that will guide national priorities from 2026 to 2030. The programme builds directly on the gains achieved under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme and NDS1, positioning the country to accelerate its march toward Vision 2030.
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga and the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, arrived at State House early in the afternoon, joining Cabinet Ministers, senior Government officials and members of the diplomatic community for the highly anticipated event. President E.D. Mnangagwa later stepped in to formally open the proceedings, signalling the start of a critical policy cycle for Zimbabwe’s medium-term future.
NDS2 is designed to consolidate the substantial progress recorded under NDS1. According to Minister Ncube, the terminal evaluation and mid-term review of NDS1 show “significant progress across all thematic areas,” noting improved governance, economic resilience and clear momentum toward upper-middle-income status. “The excellence of NDS1 has laid a firm foundation for NDS2,” he said, emphasising the broad consultations that shaped the new strategy.
Government records indicate that NDS1 delivered several landmark achievements using predominantly domestic resources. Among the flagship projects were the completion of the Trabablas Interchange, the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, and the commissioning of Hwange Units 7 and 8, which brought 700 megawatts onto the national grid. The Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme significantly upgraded both urban and rural road networks, while the manufacturing sector recorded improved capacity utilisation.
Agriculture also registered strong gains, with maize and wheat output reaching national self-sufficiency levels. Tobacco production hit a record 355 million kilograms, and the national dairy herd surged to 65,660 cows—more than double the initial NDS1 target for 2025. The housing sector similarly exceeded expectations, surpassing the original target of 220,000 units well ahead of schedule, prompting an upward revision to one million units.
NDS2 outlines ten broad national priorities expected to drive development over the next five years, including macro-economic stability, inclusive growth, infrastructure and housing development, agricultural resilience, human capital development, job creation, social protection, devolution, international engagement and institutional strengthening.
As the blueprint is rolled out, stakeholders across Government, the private sector and development partners are expected to align their programmes with the new priorities, marking what officials describe as a decisive step toward sustainable growth and long-term national transformation.
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