Latest news with #GovernmentofZimbabwe
Zawya
21-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Integrating youth in agrifood systems transformation in Zimbabwe
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe launched a technical cooperation programme to enhance national capacity to support meaningful youth engagement in agrifood systems through policy support, leadership development and institutional strengthening. FAO provides technical support to the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that youth are meaningfully integrated into agrifood systems as key actors in productivity, innovation, and food security. This project builds upon the experiences of the FAO in Zimbabwe including the Green Jobs for Rural Youth Employment. It represents a crucial step in addressing the youth-related knowledge and skills and policy gaps identified in previous initiatives. FAO highlights the urgency of creating 10–12 million new jobs annually in Africa and positions agrifood systems especially given their rapid growth and high potential for value addition as key to unlocking youth employment. Drawing on FAO Investment Guidelines for Youth in Agrifood Systems, the approach emphasizes integrating youth perspectives throughout the project cycle. The approach encourages recognizing youth as a diverse group with varied needs, capacities, and aspirations, and calls for collaboration among public, private, and civil society actors to create enabling environments. 'This project is set to inform and shape future priorities for collaboration between the Government of Zimbabwe and FAO on youth-related matters. By fostering this collaboration, the project aims to create an enabling environment that supports more effective interventions for youth engagement in agrifood systems, ultimately empowering young people to take a leading role in transforming these systems for the better,' said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative to Zimbabwe. This milestone comes at an opportune time when the country is starting to operationalize the second phase of the Agriculture and Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy (AFSRTS 2.0) with a particular focus on mainstreaming and integrating youth in agrifood systems. 'Mainstreaming youth is not an optional add-on; it is the fundamental strategy for achieving resilient, productive, and transformed agrifood systems and rural communities. The Government of Zimbabwe will provide visionary leadership, enact enabling policies, prioritize budget allocation for youth mainstreaming initiatives within Strategy 2.0, and ensure coordination across ministries,' said Mr. Jairos Mandizadza, Director – Gender Mainstreaming, Inclusivity and Wellness in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development in his keynote address. As part of its commitment to enhancing youth participation in Zimbabwe's agrifood systems, the FAO-led project will initiate a consultative and participatory process to support the development of a comprehensive national strategy that integrate youth issues. The approach is designed to engage a wide spectrum of stakeholders, from primary producers to tertiary institutions and development partners while ensuring that the strategy is grounded in local realities and informed by diverse perspectives. As the project gains momentum, young people across Zimbabwe are expressing optimism and a renewed sense of purpose. 'With this project we are energised, motivated, by being heard, valued, seen and more importantly included, we are no longer participants but change makers and this proves that there is nothing for us which can be done without us,' said Getrude Chambati, Secretary for the World Food Forum Zimbabwe Chapter. The process of project implementation will include a combination of face-to-face stakeholder consultations, strategic planning meetings, and a desk review of existing work by other partners in the sector. This blended methodology will ensure that the strategy builds on past efforts while introducing fresh, youth-centred insights. The project ultimately aims to support Zimbabwe in formulating a National Youth Investment Plan and a Youth-inclusive Agrifood Systems Strategy, laying the groundwork for sustainable and inclusive agricultural transformation. The inception meeting provided the platform to key stakeholders, including youths to review and provide input on how the draft AFSRTS 2 can integrate more youths issues. This was achieved through breakout sessions where participants were put into groups to review and update pillars of the AFSRTS 2. During the launch key stakeholders had the opportunity to appreciate the current youth in agrifood systems frameworks and policies at national, regional and international levels. Going forward, the project is poised to play a transformative role in shaping Zimbabwe's agrifood landscape by supporting the development of a robust national strategy and targeted investment plans for youth. By enhancing the capacity and skills of both young people and agriculture ministry personnel, FAO is committed to strengthening governance and leadership frameworks that support youth inclusion. This marks a pivotal step toward building a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready agrifood system, driven by the energy, innovation, and potential of Zimbabwe's youth. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.
United News of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh to visit Mozambique and Zimbabwe
New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh will pay an official visit to Mozambique and Zimbabwe, both in southeastern Africa, from June 21-28. In Mozambique, MoS will represent India at the celebrations marking the 50 years of Independence of Mozambique on June 25. As Mozambique celebrates 50 years of its independence, India and Mozambique will also commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations. MoS is expected to call on President Daniel Francisco Chapo. MoS will hold bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister of Mozambique with the objective of furthering bilateral relations between the two countries. MoS will interact with the members of Indian diaspora in Maputo. Mozambique has a vibrant Indian community which numbers around 25,000, a statement said. MoS will, thereafter, visit Zimbabwe where he will call on the top leadership of the country. He is also expected to meet several Ministers and other functionaries of the Government of Zimbabwe. Thereafter, he will travel to KAZA (Kavango Zambezi) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA), Victoria Falls city to engage on matters related to Conservation, Wildlife Protection Management and Climate Change. MoS will also interact with the member of Indian diaspora in Zimbabwe. MoS' visit to Mozambique and Zimbabwe is expected to further strengthen India's strong bilateral relations with these countries. UNI RN
Zawya
26-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Anchoring Macroeconomic Stability Through Fiscal Policy in Zimbabwe
The Government of Zimbabwe recently embarked upon an important set of reforms aimed to durably restore Zimbabwe's macroeconomic stability. To secure these reforms, it is key for the Treasury to identify ways to strengthen its fiscal policy to help move Zimbabwe towards a sustainable medium-term fiscal pathway, according to the new Public Finance Review (PFR) released by the World Bank today. The PFR titled ' Anchoring Macroeconomic Stability through Fiscal Policy ' considers the performance of Zimbabwe's public finances between 2019 and 2023. In addition, it supports the Government of Zimbabwe in its fiscal consolidation efforts by identifying policy options to improve expenditure and revenue mobilization to create fiscal space, improve efficiency, and strengthen equity considerations. This can help move Zimbabwe towards a more sustainable medium-term fiscal pathway, stabilize the macroeconomic environment, and support sustainable economic growth and job creation. "The PFR emphasizes the World Bank's commitment to providing timely and responsive support to the Government of Zimbabwe and is a testament to our strong and ongoing partnership. This comprehensive analysis of public finance will guide our efforts to assist the government in improving domestic revenue mobilization, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring pro-poor outcomes," said Eneida Fernandes, World Bank Country Manager for Zimbabwe. The PFR recommends several measures to create fiscal space and return Zimbabwe's fiscal accounts to a prudent trajectory. The report highlights that stabilizing prices and eliminating exchange rate distortions can significantly and swiftly boost government revenue. The World Bank's analysis indicates that Zimbabwe's treasury lost over $4.5 billion between 2020 and 2023 due to monetary distortions. Enhancing price stability could help recover inflation-related tax losses promptly. Potential reforms to increase tax revenue efficiently and equitably include streamlining corporate tax incentives, strengthening mining, property and wealth taxation, aligning health excise taxes in line with international standards, and improving tax administration using digital technologies. Improving the efficiency of public spending is essential for supporting fiscal consolidation and achieving long-term sustainable and inclusive growth. There is potential to improve the government's allocative efficiency to improve value-for-money in areas such as health care and capital investments. Improvements in procurement systems, including the use of e-Procurement, also present significant opportunities for efficiency savings. Efficiency in public services administration is also key, as the Government of Zimbabwe's jobs evaluation report suggests there are opportunities to streamline the civil service. The progressivity of expenditure policy can also be improved through more and better targeted spending on social protection. The operationalization of a national 'social registry' could help improve targeting of Zimbabwe's current social protection systems and help improve climate resilience. The PFR shows that fiscal policy can be a critical anchor for macroeconomic stability that can ensure a credible and efficient national budget and assist a stable and competitive currency. Jointly, this would lead to higher growth, major poverty reduction, and a major step toward achieving Zimbabwe's development objectives. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.
Zawya
19-02-2025
- General
- Zawya
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Strengthening Zimbabwe's Food Safety Standards through National Codex Technical Committee Training
From 3 to 7 February 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Zimbabwe conducted a training session for 20 members of the National Codex technical committee. The training focused on knowledge dissemination, capacity building, and the adoption of Codex standards. 'The training is part of the Codex Trust Fund 2 project, which seeks to rejuvenate Codex Alimentarius activities in Zimbabwe by expanding knowledge and understanding of Codex at national level among key policy makers and influential stakeholders,' explained James Mugombi, the Codex Trust Fund 2 focal point in Zimbabwe. Patrice Talla, the FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and FAO Representative in Zimbabwe, added, 'By training technical officers from both the government and private sector, FAO is enhancing Zimbabwe's national capacity to develop food standards and regulations based on Codex. This will increase the uptake and use of Codex standards, guidelines, and codes of practice in the country.' The four-day workshop was attended by participants from both the public and private sectors. It focused on the National Codex Technical Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV) and the National Codex Technical Committee on processed food items, food additives, and fats and oils. Fredy Chinyavanhu, the Government of Zimbabwe Codex Contact Point (CCP), emphasized the importance of the training in enhancing understanding of Codex food safety standards and guidelines. 'The overall objective of the Codex technical committee's meetings is to bring together technical experts from the private and public sectors to build their capacities for effective preparation prior to participating in Priority Codex committee meetings,' he said. 'The government can leverage this network to facilitate ongoing collaboration between regulators, industry, and other key players, promoting a unified approach to implementing Codex standards.' 'In previous Codex sessions, Zimbabwe's participation in international food standards setting was weak due to limited involvement by national stakeholders. This training will ensure that Zimbabwean stakeholders are aware of and know how to participate effectively in international food standards setting,' added Claid Mujaju, chairperson of the National Codex Technical Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. Mutsa Chatyoka, a Farm Feeds and Remedies Regulations Officer, highlighted the positive impact of the training on food safety and quality in Zimbabwe. 'This training has improved our understanding and application of Codex standards, which will enhance the safety and quality of food products,' she said. 'Regulators will gain knowledge on standards to be enforced on food businesses and products.' Fredy Chinyavanhu also mentioned, 'The training has helped us gather views from the trained stakeholders and others. We will consolidate these views as a national Codex committee to develop true Zimbabwean positions on agenda issues for upcoming global Codex meetings.' Government's commitment to continuity The government is committed to prioritizing budgetary allocations for food safety monitoring and enforcement work. Allocating sufficient financial resources is crucial to implementing the Codex-aligned systems and maintaining effective oversight. 'The goal is to include Codex work in future budgets to ensure continuity of programs beyond the FAO Codex 2 project,' said Josephine Manda, Deputy Director at Ministry of Industry and Commerce and Chairperson to the National Codex Technical Committee on processed food items, food additives and fats and oils. The country's Codex Contact Point (CCP) emphasized that material, financial, and human resources will be allocated to ensure consumer safety and health. "We will continue to lobby for prioritization of budgetary allocation, as well as material, financial and human resources, to food safety and quality monitoring and enforcement. This is essential for ensuring consumer safety and health as well as facilitation of international food trade'. Both public and private food testing laboratories will be mobilized to contribute data for science-based evidence, supporting the country's positions to the Codex Alimentarius standards setting processes. 'To sustain the momentum from the initial training, we commit to providing regular, targeted training programs. This will ensure Codex knowledge and skills are continuously updated and disseminated across relevant government departments and the private sector,' said the country's Codex Contact Point (CCP). Stakeholder perspectives on training Josephine Manda, a Senior Biosafety Officer at National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe, emphasized the importance of the training., "The training was crucial for me as it enhanced my knowledge of Codex systems and their technical aspects, enabling me to participate meaningfully at Codex workshops and events," she said. Mutsa Chatyoka expressed her intention to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training to enhance her participation in national food safety standard-setting processes. "I aim to ensure alignment with Codex Alimentarius Commission guidelines and contribute to the development of national policies and regulations related to food additives," she noted. By strengthening the capacity of technical experts and aligning national standards with Codex guidelines, the Codex Trust Fund 2 project aims to rejuvenate and enhance food safety and quality in Zimbabwe, ultimately benefiting consumers and facilitating international trade. 'The government can use the enhanced understanding of Codex standards and guidelines gained from the training to update and align national food safety regulations and policies. This will ensure Zimbabwe's food safety framework is harmonized with international best practices,' Patrice Talla stated. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FAO Regional Office for Africa.
