Harare, Zimbabwe – In his latest State of the Nation Address, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to unity, development, and stability, as he highlighted significant achievements and ongoing challenges since the opening of the Tenth Parliament last year. Addressing key areas such as agriculture, economic reforms, mining, and infrastructure development, the President emphasized the importance of collective effort to ensure progress across all sectors.

One of the central themes of President Mnangagwa’s address was Zimbabwe’s agricultural progress, despite challenges posed by the El Nino-induced drought. The President expressed his appreciation to the country’s farmers and acknowledged the 2024 record wheat harvest projection of 600,000 tonnes. He also stressed the importance of water harvesting and climate change adaptation, underscoring the need for continued development in irrigation and food security measures. The government is also focused on supporting local communities through initiatives like the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme and School Feeding initiatives.

On the economic front, President Mnangagwa announced positive results from Zimbabwe’s economic reforms, including the stabilisation of the Zimbabwean dollar through the adoption of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency, backed by gold and precious metal reserves. Foreign currency inflows have increased significantly, growing from US$7 billion in 2023 to US$8 billion in 2024. The President reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring price stability and protecting the economy from speculative market activities.

Highlighting the mining sector, the President noted Zimbabwe’s increased demand for energy minerals and called on mining houses to scale up production. He also celebrated the booming tourism industry, with tourist arrivals surpassing figures from the previous year, and outlined infrastructure projects, including road rehabilitation and dam construction, that are critical to stimulating economic growth. The mining and tourism sectors, alongside infrastructure development, remain pivotal to Zimbabwe’s broader economic revitalisation.

Looking ahead, President Mnangagwa urged Parliament to expedite the passage of key Bills aimed at fostering development, strengthening governance, and aligning with international conventions. Significant Bills include those related to occupational health and safety, electronic commerce, and anti-corruption measures such as the Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill. In addition, the government will continue to focus on transforming education and health sectors to support the country’s industrialisation and modernisation goals.

President Mnangagwa concluded his address with a call for continued unity and resilience, urging all Zimbabweans to contribute to building a prosperous and stable nation. He reiterated his commitment to protecting Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and ensuring that the nation’s future remains bright for generations to come.