Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), Director-General Tafadzwa Bandama says Zimbabwe’s data ecosystem must urgently strengthen coordination and innovation as the country moves toward implementing its next National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS IV).
Speaking at the 2025 second-quarter meeting of the Data for Development and Innovation Technical Working Group (DFDI TWG) in Harare today , Bandama said the platform remains central to Zimbabwe’s efforts to modernise its statistical systems.
“It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the 2025 second-quarter meeting for the Data for Development and Innovation Technical Working Group.
The group was established with the primary objective of coordinating support for activities aimed at enhancing the availability and utilisation of data in Zimbabwe,”she noted
Bandama said the Working Group’s role had grown even more important as Zimbabwe prepares for NSDS IV (2026–2030) while evaluating NSDS III.
“As the country is currently preparing for implementing its NSDS IV, evaluating NSDS III, and closing data gaps for monitoring both the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), the group is essential in facilitating coordinated data efforts,” she said.
Reviewing progress from earlier meetings, Bandama said the first 2025 session had already yielded significant gains.
“The first meeting, which was conducted in May 2025, yielded noteworthy achievements, including a joint workplan for data collection and utilisation activities,” she said.
At the fourth meeting, convened with support from the United Nations, clusters are expected to provide updates on action points and contribute to the 2026 joint workplan.
Bandama highlighted strong progress on SDG reporting.
“Zimbabwe has made significant progress in enhancing SDGs data availability with 85.5 percent of the prioritised indicators reported as having data,” she said.
She also announced ongoing technological upgrades.
“ZIMSTAT is migrating its data portal to ensure that all disseminated data are integrated, accessible, and optimised for use in modern analytical tools. The enhanced Open Data Portal 2.0 is scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2026,” she said
Bandama further highlighted the launch of the country’s national SDG platform.
“We are happy to announce that we officially launched our OpenSDG platform on 09 July 2025,” she said
She concluded by urging stronger partnerships.
“Our doors remain open for collaboration aimed at strengthening the national statistical system.
Such strong partnerships ensure continuous supply of quality data and minimise the emergence of data gaps,”she added
