By Staff Reporter ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to strengthening economic governance, fiscal discipline and transparency under the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), while thanking regional allies for their continued calls for the removal of sanctions imposed on the country.
Speaking during the APRM session held on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Mnangagwa expressed appreciation to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other African states for what he described as unwavering solidarity over sanctions that have been in place for more than two decades following Zimbabwe’s Land Reform Programme.
The President said the sanctions have constrained investment flows, limited access to international credit markets and restricted technology transfer, arguing that ordinary citizens have borne the greatest impact. Despite the restrictions, he said Zimbabwe would continue pursuing its development agenda guided by the national philosophy, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo / Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” — a country is built by its own people.
Zimbabwe acceded to the APRM in 2020 during the 29th Session of the APR Forum in Addis Ababa. In November last year, a targeted review mission led by Ambassador Aly El-Hefny assessed the country’s governance and economic management systems. Mnangagwa told fellow Heads of State that his administration would implement the mission’s recommendations, focusing on stronger fiscal discipline, enhanced public financial management systems, macroeconomic stability, transparency and broader citizen participation.
He said the reform programme aligns with Section 13 and Chapter 14 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, which emphasise accountability, decentralisation and inclusive development.
Mnangagwa highlighted reforms underway in the education sector through the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model, which seeks to drive innovation, industrialisation, rural development, value addition and digital transformation. He also outlined measures in the mining sector, including the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale miners, the creation of a national mining database, improved safety standards and strengthened environmental management. Mining remains one of Zimbabwe’s leading economic sectors and a key contributor to community development.
On public finance, the President cited the implementation of an Integrated Financial Management Information System, enhanced public sector audits and compliance with 37 of the 40 recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). He also said Zimbabwe is ranked third in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Open Budget Survey for fiscal transparency.
Under the Zimbabwe Investment Development Act, he said the government is seeking to attract foreign direct investment while safeguarding domestic empowerment, and will continue working with SADC, the African Union, the United Nations and international financial institutions to support economic reform efforts.
APRM Chief Executive Officer Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre described Zimbabwe as a case study of African-led solutions, noting that the review team conducted consultations across all 10 provinces to ensure the report reflects on-the-ground realities. She said the findings would be made public upon official launch, with the APRM committed to supporting implementation of governance reforms.
Zimbabwe’s participation in the APRM forms part of a voluntary continental self-assessment process aimed at promoting peer learning, mutual accountability and sustainable development among African Union member states. Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe remains committed to transparency, inclusivity and economic transformation in pursuit of national development goals.
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