Zimbabwe: Conclusion

This conclusion from the 'Zimbabwe Development Futures' report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes Zimbabwe's developmental trajectory to 2043. It identifies structural challenges and proposes a synergized policy approach across eight sectors to transition the country from a resource-based economy to an industrialised production hub, with a specific focus on manufacturing as the primary driver for sustainable growth.

• Zimbabwe faces several persistent structural challenges that hinder its progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including political and economic instability, weak governance, low technological adoption, limited economic diversification, outdated infrastructure, a slow demographic transition, a low-skilled workforce, and climate vulnerabilities.
• The report identifies the manufacturing sector as the essential foundation for sustainable economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. To achieve this, Zimbabwe should prioritize industrialization through technological adoption and strategic investments in mineral beneficiation for gold, chromium, iron ore, diamond, platinum, and lithium, as well as agro-processing.
• Under a 'Manufacturing scenario', the implementation of recommended policy interventions could accelerate GDP growth to 9% by 2030, reach a peak of 14% in 2037, and stabilize at 9% by 2043. This projection is consistent with Zimbabwe's Vision 2030, which targets a GDP growth rate between 7% and 10% by 2030.
• The report outlines critical policy recommendations across multiple sectors: expanding STEM and vocational education, increasing healthcare and WaSH investment, modernizing agriculture via irrigation and precision farming, promoting AI and digital leapfrogging, attracting foreign direct investment, and strengthening regional trade through the AfCFTA by diversifying exports and removing trade barriers.

APA

Ngundu, M., & Cilliers, J. (2026). Zimbabwe: Conclusion. Institute for Security Studies. https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/guide.pdf?geography=ZW&topic=05-conclusion

Chicago

Ngundu, Marvellous, and Jakkie Cilliers. Zimbabwe: Conclusion. Institute for Security Studies, 2026. https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/guide.pdf?geography=ZW&topic=05-conclusion.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ngundu |first1=Marvellous |last2=Cilliers |first2=Jakkie |title=Zimbabwe: Conclusion |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=15 June 2026 |url=https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/guide.pdf?geography=ZW&topic=05-conclusion |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ngundu2026zimbabwe, author = {Ngundu, Marvellous and Cilliers, Jakkie}, title = {{Zimbabwe: Conclusion}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/guide.pdf?geography=ZW&topic=05-conclusion}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }