National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2) - January 2026 – December 2030.

The National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2) is Zimbabwe’s second five-year development plan aimed at advancing the country towards the achievement of Vision 2030 and the transformation into a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society. Building on the foundations of NDS 1, the Strategy introduces innovative measures to accelerate inclusive, sustainable and resilient economic growth, supported by stronger monitoring and evaluation systems to improve implementation and accountability. At the core of NDS 2 is the commitment to sound macroeconomic management, good governance and private sector-led growth as the basis for national transformation. The Strategy seeks to create an enabling environment that promotes investment, enhances competitiveness and supports structural economic transformation. Particular emphasis is placed on facilitating trade and investment, improving export performance and integrating Zimbabwe into regional and global value chains. To strengthen the business environment, the Government will continue implementing reforms aimed at reducing the cost and complexity of doing business through streamlined regulations, the rationalisation of overlapping licences and the elimination of bureaucratic inefficiencies. The private sector is recognised as the principal driver of economic growth and development. In this regard, NDS 2 establishes a stronger framework for collaboration between the government and the private sector in promoting investment and economic transformation. Measures to safeguard positive returns on investment are expected to strengthen investor confidence and attract both domestic and international capital. NDS 2 also prioritises inclusive development and social cohesion. The Strategy promotes equitable service delivery and empowerment programmes targeting women, youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, ensuring that all citizens participate in and benefit from socio-economic transformation. Decentralisation and devolution are identified as central pillars of the Strategy, with the Government committing to the timely disbursement of devolution funds to support transformative provincial and local development programmes. Guided by the Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers System Administrative Manual, this approach aims to ensure transparent, efficient and equitable resource allocation so that no community is left behind. In strengthening governance and public sector performance, NDS 2 emphasises transparency, accountability and the responsible use of public resources. The Strategy calls for a culture of discipline, responsiveness, hard work, integrity and zero tolerance for corruption and rent-seeking behaviour. Furthermore, all public institutions are required to develop and implement Service Delivery Standards to improve efficiency, consistency and quality in public service delivery across Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Local Authorities. The Strategy further seeks to strengthen social cohesion through a renewed social contract based on trust, dialogue and shared national values. Through the Tripartite Negotiating Forum, the Government aims to deepen cooperation among the State, business and labour in order to promote collective responsibility and inclusive national development. To support the successful implementation of programmes and projects under NDS 2, the Strategy adopts a diversified resource mobilisation framework. Financing will be drawn from fiscal revenues, domestic savings, innovative financing instruments, diaspora investment participation, domestic and international capital markets, as well as public-private partnerships. This diversified financial architecture is intended to ensure adequate and sustainable funding for the country’s development priorities.
NDS 2 overarching objectives that will guide the country’s developmental agenda by 2030 are to (i) sustain a stable and predictable macro-economic environment that promotes investment, innovation, productivity and resilience, while strengthening, diversifying and deepening the financial sector to enhance domestic resource mobilisation and broaden financial inclusion; (ii) transform the economy from a primary commodity-based to a diversified, broad-based, modern upper middle-income country through accelerating value addition and beneficiation; (iii) develop a strong, modern and resilient infrastructure backbone across all sectors of the economy to support productivity and sustainable socio-economic development; (iv) increase agricultural productivity to achieve food and nutrition security, promote sustainable agro-processing value chains as well as strengthen climate resilience and environmental sustainability; (v) promote science, technology, innovation and human capital development to build a knowledge-driven and digitally enabled economy; (vi) strengthen and entrench devolution and decentralisation to promote balanced regional development and inclusive participation for equitable and inclusive national development; (vii) accelerate job creation, youth development and entrepreneurship to reduce unemployment and promote sport participation, creative and cultural industries; (viii) enhance social development, gender equality and social protection to promote equity and universal access to quality health and social services; (ix) enhance Brand Zimbabwe, strengthen international relations and regional integration, attract foreign direct investment, promote tourism and advance diplomatic and trade development to achieve sustainable socio-economic development; (x) strengthen governance and security institutions to promote peace, stability and social cohesion.
NDS 2 objectives will be achieved through the following 10 national priorities whose developmental impact transcends across all sectors of the economy (1) macro-economic stability and financial sector deepening; (2) inclusive economic growth and structural transformation; (3) infrastructure development and housing; (4) agriculture, food, climate and environment; (5) science, technology, digital, innovation and human capital development; (6) job creation, youth entrepreneurship and development, creative industry, sport and culture; (7) regional development and inclusivity through devolution and decentralization; (8) social development, gender and social protection; (9) image building, international relations and trade; (10) governance, institution building, peace and security.
In the agriculture and food sectors, NDS 2 aims to strengthen food and nutrition security by increasing agricultural productivity, improving storage infrastructure, and enhancing climate resilience. The strategy prioritises the promotion of climate-smart agriculture, sustainable irrigation systems, and integrated land and water management practices in order to support sustainable agricultural development and reduce vulnerability to climate-related shocks. In addition, NDS 2 emphasises the importance of nutrition interventions that address dietary and social behavioural challenges while strengthening post-harvest handling systems and strategic grain reserves to minimise food losses and improve food availability. Environmental sustainability is also integrated into the strategy through stronger enforcement of environmental impact assessments, promotion of responsible mining practices, reforestation initiatives, and the restoration and protection of wetlands and other critical ecosystems.