Prof Ncube underscored that sustaining macro-economic stability remains central to the new strategy. Fiscal discipline, exchange rate stability, and sound monetary policy will form the backbone of a predictable business environment that inspires investor confidence.
He also outlined 10 national priorities to guide implementation and focusing on food security, infrastructure development, human capital enhancement, investment facilitation, and industrialisation.
“The 2026 Budget will prioritise public investments that stimulate private sector activity and strengthen value chains.Adding that rebalancing budgets toward catalytic capital expenditure will ensure sustainable and inclusive growth,” he noted.
Another core focus area of NDS2 will be industrialisation and value chain development, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe from an exporter of raw materials into a producer of value-added goods. This shift, Prof Ncube explained, will strengthen sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, and mining beneficiation, creating more jobs and boosting export earnings.
To reduce reliance on external borrowing, NDS2 will also expand Zimbabwe’s domestic resource base through improved tax administration, formalisation of the informal sector, and better management of natural resources.
Reflecting on NDS1, Prof Ncube described it as a “resounding success,” citing achievements in infrastructure, agriculture, mining, and fiscal management. Between 2021 and 2024, GDP growth averaged over five percent, while inflation was kept moderate and fiscal discipline improved.
“Policy coherence and alignment with Vision 2030 created measurable improvements in economic planning and stability,” he said.
Looking ahead, Prof Ncube emphasised that NDS2 will build on these gains by embedding innovation, governance efficiency, and accountability into every sector. “This strategy aligns with Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, both of which champion transformation through innovation, integration, and sustainable governance,” he concluded.
