By Blanche Wadzanai Mhonda
Our famous “teapot country” has spent decades receiving international aid, with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) playing a significant role across various sectors. While USAID’s contributions have offered essential relief and development assistance, Zimbabwe now has a big opportunity to shift from reliance to production inspired prosperity. This transformation requires practical strategies and policy initiatives built on five key issues highlighted in the 2024 Zimbabwe Economic Freedom Audit (ZEFA). These include instituting sound money, offer freedom to international trade, reform regulatory frameworks, reduce the size of government and streamline the legal system and property rights. One would say Zimbabwe has the opportunity to become the “the loaf holder” of SADC once again.
USAID’s work in supporting public health, the civic space and boosting local agricultural practices has laid important groundwork in Zimbabwe. For instance, the food risilence initiatives resulted in a remarkable increase in food production especially in marginal low rainfall areas. This has enabled many farmers to achieve food security.To build on this success, Zimbabwe needs to implement market based policies that further enhance agricultural productivity. There is huge global demand for organic food which Zimbabwe can produce, but structural issues like lack of credit and complex tarrifs as well as lack of information hinder progress. The goal is to ensure that every plate is filled, not just during harvest season but year-round! According to the (African Development Bank, 2021), prioritizing agricultural research and developing sustainable solutions tailored to local conditions will reduce dependency of imports and improve food sovereignty.
Building on USAID’s educational initiatives, Zimbabwe should create a cohesive national strategy focusing more on vocational training to create a trained base of labour for the industrial revolution. UNESCO (2020) notes that the case of the Zimbabwe Youth Council, which facilitates youth empowerment and skills training, exemplifies how local initiatives can align with labor market demands. By promoting partnerships between schools and businesses, students can acquire relevant skills, ensuring they are equipped to enter the job market with confidence. Let us be honest! The best job security these days in Zimbabwe often comes with a side hustle of entrepreneurship. Zimbabwe ha a huge wave of citizens in the diaspora. These have several critical skills which can easily beneft the turn around project. Therefore, migration has to be eased including allowing dual citizenship to enable fungibility of skills.
To reduce reliance on imports, Zimbabwe should invest in policies that encourage local supply chains. The private sector has to produce and government should leave the bigger role to the private sector. Supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through access to capital and mentoring programs can help cultivate a resilient economy. Research has indicated that local sourcing of materials by enterprises creates a multiplier effect, hence more community engagement and economic growth.
The Eastern Caucus is crucial in this transformative journey, as it is at the forefront of advocating for policy reforms to develop a vibrant private sector. By simplifying the regulatory environment and reducing tax burdens for business and workers, the work of The Eastern Caucus is pertinent in fostering local businesses to thrive. Through the “Budiriro Initiative”, The Eastern Caucus is working towards streamlining bureaucratic processes, reducing financial barriers and empowering entrepreneurs with tools and knowledge, through policy engagement and strategic partnerships with the National Competitiveness Commission (NCC), the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA). The agenda is to boost the economy, and at the same time unleashing prosperity and happiness.
The exit by USAID must therefore be taken as an opportunity to develop and excel!