Incoming African Development Bank (AfDB) Executive Director for the Southern Africa Group II Constituency, Dr. E. M. Paulo, today paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, in Harare.
The visit formed part of Dr. Paulo’s strategic engagement tour aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of Zimbabwe’s macroeconomic environment and appreciating the country’s cross-cutting development priorities, as well as the critical role of the AfDB Constituency Office in advancing regional growth.
During the meeting, Professor Ncube provided a comprehensive briefing on Zimbabwe’s economic trajectory, highlighting ongoing fiscal and structural reforms that have underpinned economic stability and growth.
He revealed that Government is finalising the formulation of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) for the period 2026–2030, which will succeed NDS1 that concludes in December 2025.
“The forthcoming NDS2 will build on the achievements of NDS1 and provide a structured roadmap towards the attainment of Vision 2030, our national aspiration to become an upper-middle-income economy.
We value the African Development Bank’s continued partnership, which has been instrumental in supporting Zimbabwe’s reform agenda and development programmes,”added Professor Ncube
The minister emphasised the importance of aligning Zimbabwe’s strategic goals with AfDB’s development priorities, particularly in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and private sector development.
He noted that the Government remains committed to strengthening collaboration with the Bank to drive sustainable economic transformation.
Dr. Paulo commended Zimbabwe for its resilience and reform efforts, noting that his visit was critical in ensuring that the AfDB’s future support aligns with the country’s priorities under the forthcoming NDS2. He underscored the need for a shared vision between the AfDB and its member countries to accelerate inclusive growth and regional integration.
The meeting reinforced the strong partnership between Zimbabwe and the AfDB, which continues to play a vital role in mobilising financial and technical support for national and regional development initiatives.
Dr. Paulo’s engagement with Zimbabwe marks an important step in deepening dialogue and cooperation between the Bank and its Southern Africa member states, as the region collectively works toward achieving sustainable economic transformation.
